Can You Identify These?

by Jean Palomba
(Greenvale, NY, USA)

I found a pair of these at a second hand store. They are in immaculate condition. Looks to be red embroidery on unbleached linen? Handstitched on the top layer and along the border. The back is plain. There is an opening along one long edge, and four tassels positioned about 2" from the opening edge. I thought these were placemats, but now I'm not sure. I think they may be Swedish, but I'm not sure there either. Any help would be appreciated identifying what I have here.

Thanks and regards,
Jean Palomba

Amy's Answer
I'm not an historic appraiser, so this is just a guess: Is it a fire screen cover? The design resembles the Swedish rosemaling or maybe Jacobean crewel. It's definitely redwork, and red dye was popular in the 19th century, though it was used before then. I don't know. Anyone else have an idea to share? Please post below!

Recommended Reading
Redwork Embroidery
Crewel History
Another Style and Origin Mystery to Solve

Comments for
Can You Identify These?

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Feb 12, 2011
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Redwork
by: Anonymous

Upon checking the recommended Hungarian Embroidery website I too think they are pillow covers. Can't wait for final identification. Escrom

Feb 11, 2011
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Red Work
by: Anonymous

I didn't see dimensions. My guess would be a needle roll. Designs look like Pennsylvania Dutch "hex" pattern.

Feb 11, 2011
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Red Tasseled Item
by: judith mckinney

Perhaps these are bread warmers.

Feb 10, 2011
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Red Embroidery
by: Fran

http://hstrial-pfazekaz.homestead.com/exhibit_FOLK_ART_more.html

You will see several examples of embroidery on this page. The exhibit will be up until March of this year. I did see it while in New Brunswick... I was awestruck.

Feb 10, 2011
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Red Embroidery
by: Fran

Check with the Hungarian Museum in New Brunswick New Jersey. There are several embroidery pieces there that look similar. I do have photos of some of the pieces that are displayed in the Museum, one that looks similar in technique. Could the piece shown be a cover for linens, a pillow cover, or ?

Feb 01, 2011
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Beautiful!
by: http://www.jpg-studios.com

My favorite color is red, It looks so beautiful. We specialize in embroidery.
Check out our website. :)
JPG HAWAII

Dec 28, 2010
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My Guess
by: Cheryl

I bought several finished pieces while I was in Romania. Almost everything had that same look, off white cloth with red crewel work. My guess is also a chairback cover. It's very pretty.

Aug 03, 2010
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Another Possibility
by: Anonymous

I believe these to be a set of chair back covers and the tassel items are used to tie to the chair.

Jan 14, 2010
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Eastern Europe
by: Penguin

They certainly look Eastern European to me. I've seen similar work from Poland, but that's usually showing more background surface and less embroidery. I think this kind of work was popular across Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. (Possibly earlier too.)

Jan 10, 2010
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Possible Identification
by: Anonymous

I think your redwork items may be Transylvanian pillow or cushion covers. I came across a few different styles of Hungarian pillow covers recently and one pair was very similar to yours. If you look on this Hungarian Folkart website you should see some similar pieces.

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