An 18th century French needlework picture

Circa 1720.

Worked in silk and wool in petit point, the faces with supplementary warps and wefts to produce a still finer stitch, and with a border in cross stitch. Despite the apparent rural setting, the scene, with three musicians - playing a timbrel, a cello or viola da gamba, and a pipe - below the figure of the muse Terpsichore suspended in an elaborate boat held with ropes and pulleys operated by characters reminiscent of those of the commedia dell’arte, owes much to the traditions of 17th and 18th century French theatre.

The panel, which would originally have been intended for use as the cover for the back of a large chair, is extremely finely worked, and the colours remain very strong. The petit point cartouche is in excellent condition, with some minor restoration to the cross stitch border.

The textile, which has a concealed arched top, 83cm (32⅝”) high and 54cm (21¼”) wide.

In an ornate gilded antique frame 75.7cm (29¾) high and 57.3 (22½”) wide.

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