Magnificent Americana Silk Embroidery - Eagle, Shield & Flags (1900-1910)

Description: For Your consideration: Very Rare, Early Twentieth Century, American Patriotic / Naval-Themed Silk Embroidery (Sometimes called a Trapunto) SOME BACKGROUND For more than forty years I have been collecting the extraordinary American patriotic / naval-themed silk embroideries, produced and sold mostly in Japan, mostly between 1900 and WW-I, purchased mostly by American sailors as a remembrance of their cruise, or service, in the Far East, including those who sailed with the Great White Fleet. With respect to this collection, it is now about time for me to let go, as it is almost time for me to go. I will be offering most of the historic embroideries and silks in my collection over the next year or so. If you are reviewing this listing you are probably familiar with these extraordinary embroideries. But for those seeking further information, later below, after the information pertaining to this particular embroidery, I have provided a brief general explanation and history of these incredible embroideries: the date ranges, designs, materials, purpose, makers and customers. DESCRIPTION OF THIS EMBROIDERY This Eagle, Flags and Shield silk embroidery was almost certainly made between 1900 and 1910. It is an exceptional specimen in several regards. It is very detailed, highly three dimensional, incorporates gold- and silver-bullion thread, has a glass eye. Size, including frame: (h) 29-1/4" x (w) 34-1/4" MAKER No maker stamp or other identifying marks appear. Nevertheless, this specimen was clearly made by the Geo. Washington Company, Yokohama, Japan, probably between 1900 and 1910. The black silk background, style of eagle, shape of the shield, placement and drape of the flags, and the gold-bordered “E PLURIBUS UNUM” banner are all characteristic of the work of embroiderers of the Geo. Washington Company. The Geo. Washington Company was located at 9 Benten-dori, Yokohama, Japan. The proprietor, G. Fukuchi, established his business in 1880 as a dealer in Japanese fine-art goods and made a specialty of designing for the American Navy. He later renamed his business “The Geo. Washington Company”. The frame came with the embroidery when I purchased it at auction 25 or 30 years ago, though the frame would not date to the manufacture of the embroidery. Whoever chose this frame — probably sometime in the 1970s or earlier — did an excellent job; it is a fine match to the embroidery, though, as noted, not original to the period of manufacture of the embroidery itself. While the choice of frame was fine, the materials used for the mounting and matting were not conservation quality. Soon after acquired, therefore, I re-mounted and re-matted the whole, using all acid-free materials. I added a rear strip of wood to the frame to deepen the rabbit and to allow for enough mat board to keep the embroidery away from the glass PRICE For this Eagle, Flags and Shield embroidery: $3500. PICK-UP OR SHIPPING Buyer may pick-up the item in Pittsburgh, Pa. I will ship, but only to locations within the continental U.S. Further notes on shipping: Although I will ship, I believe that the buyer and I should first discuss whether the buyer would prefer that I include the glass currently installed in the frame. If so, I will place several strips of masking tape on the glass to help reduce the possibility of breakage in shipping. Broken glass would be one thing; the greater concern is possible damage to the embroidery. I am willing to wrap, box and ship the glass separately, but it’s probably not worth the extra cost. I’m flexible; we can discuss the matter. Please feel free to ask questions.

Price: 3500 USD

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-12-04T23:04:57.000Z

Shipping Cost: 55 USD