2 Antique Needlept Tapestry Pillows, Medieval Renaissance, Petit Pt, Custom Made

Description

For your viewing is a unique pair of  2 stunning pillows custom designed from antique needlepoints, with antique gold metallic ribbon, soft metallic light gold silk fabric, and antique-gold velvet.  They are amazing and were so fun to create!
The antique needlepoints were original dining room chair backs and created in the early 20th century.  I learned that once they were removed from the chairs, the needlepoints were wrapped in cloth and stored in a drawer.  They are in excellent shape.   Please enlarge and look over the pictures for details.
The needlepoints show (separately) a man, and a woman each standing in a rustic landscape scene.   The man is in a medieval or renaissance costume and holds a medieval ax.  The woman is standing on castle grounds with a downed tree nearby.  She wears a fancy dress that  looks victorian or from the renaissance period.  The faces and hands of the man and woman are done perfectly in petit point.
The needlepoints were placed onto a light gold shimmery metallic silk  fabric for the front. They are bordered with an antique gold metallic ribbon with a swirly design that is very similar to the curved pattern on the woman's  dress.
For the backs, I chose a  light weight velvet in an antique-gold sienna brown color that matches the color of the trees.  You can see in the last photo how the velvet shimmers a lighter gold when it picks up the light.
"Tulip" fringe tassels in light gold and beige are sewn around the pillows' outside perimeter to cover the seams for a finished touch.
These pillows are absolutely gorgeous and would add an amazing statement in the right home setting.  You will not find another pair like them.
Each one  measures  17.5" x 18.5".
The following lengthy amount of information is included in all my listings:
GENERAL STANDARDS
The standards for nearly all of my pillows include:
*Tapestries and needleworks are gently laundered and blocked.
*The pillows are one of a kind designs
*Most tapestries and needleworks are European vintage or antique
*Modified french corners are done to prevent a  wide and floppy "dog ear" look
*Pillows are lined with muslin for form and stability
*All outside seams are joined or covered with cording, brush fringe, or fringe tassel trim
*'Invisible' zippers are inserted in the bottom seam
CLEANING
I highly recommend dry cleaning, especially with delicate fabrics and needlepoints.  Silk and velvet  can be ruined by soap and water if you aren't experienced at it.  The even square shape of needlepoints  will be distorted with water and then need blocking to fix, and this   cannot be done if it is attached to fabric in a custom made pillow.
That said, it is possible to spot clean a teensy tiny area (like 1/2" )  of wool stitching on a needlepoint if you need to, but BE CAREFUL.  It may be also be possible to use gentle detergent to spot clean a cotton tapestry if, again, the soiled area  is small.   The risk would be in causing a water mark, or having the stain spread, especially if it is ink. Then you have to wet the whole tapestry and run the risk of getting the nearby fabric wet.  Another risk is that these old tapestries are not amount of color continues to come out.  Its not the case with all of them. But beware…  believe me,  I've seen  and created some real messes!    Obviously, DRY CLEANING is my absolute recommendation.
NOTE:  If the tassels get excessively messy, you will need to wet them down.  Here is my method:  The best thing to do is lay the pillow flat and place a towel behind the tassels you are working with  to prevent wetting the fabric fabric.  Use  a wide tooth comb or even a wide tined fork.    With your hand or by dipping comb into water, wet the tassel a little where it is messed up, and comb through it very slowly.  Be careful  not to catch any wrong  threads.    It is easy, just do it slowly and do not get the fabric wet.  (I happen to like some messiness in the tassels.)
SHIPPING/RETURNS
Returns are accepted within 2 weeks.  The postmark should not be more than 14 days from  receipt of package.  You must notify me prior to sending back the return. No returns will be accepted without prior notification.  And, of course, the pillow(s) must be in the same condition as when received.
Items are mailed within 3 business days, but usually sooner.   Shipping is by USPS.  The cost of mailing large boxes is outrageous since the post office nearly tripled its prices over the past couple years.   It is always a better choice to send expensive items by Priority Mail (which sometimes is only a few dollars more)  in order to receive the better customer service and attention which priority mail offers.
******* Shipping charges are an estimate.  Sometimes  a posted shipping cost is more than what sellers pay with Etsy's commercial discount.  Sometimes though, for reasons unknown..... it is the same amount.  You will be refunded if my final cost is less than you paid.
A WORD ABOUT PRICES
***Prices have been set according to a grid which includes:
*age (antique, vintage, preowned, or new),
*rarity of tapestry or needlework,
*overall condition,
*place of origination if known,
*amount of detail and hand sewing required,
*and my cost of materials.
I create each pillow as if it were my own, and each one takes as long as it takes to perfect.
I love to take custom pillow requests.
Contact me if you would like a pillow created from a favorite woolwork, tapestry or fabric.  I may have duplicate tapestries of some of the pillows listed and would be happy to create a pillow for you. I create each pillow as if it were my own, and each one takes as long as it takes to perfect.
FYI. Shipping costs are now outrageous for large boxes.  Frequently, though, when I am buying the shopping labels, the costs are less and customers get refunded the difference.
You can also purchase only the pillow covers for less.  (I made these pillow inserts  because of the odd size. The 20" square insert too big. The 18" square insert didnt work either. I made an insert size 19"x20" and that worked.)
Thank you so much for your interest! Please take a few minutes to check out other items for sale.
To return to my shop, use this link:     www.ebay.com/usr/leeallensoftdesigns