I'm not sure why it takes me so long to share some things on this blog, goodness. It's been about six months since I found this amazing piece in Amsterdam at the Noordermarkt, a local flea market there. It was definitely one of those double-takes... but instead of it being a handsome man spotted across a crowded room, it was a large (around 46 inches wide), vintage, incredibly unique emboidery just bursting with handmade love. Definitely love at first sight.
I knew it when I saw it that A) it's too good to be true, so it must cost too much and B) Ethan's never going to let me bring that giant thing home with us on the plane (it was stretched around a wooden frame), not to mention we had more traveling to do (to Belgium) and we'd have to lug it around with us on trains, etc.
So I snapped a few pics and met back up with Ethan, but I couldn't get it out of my head.
I told Ethan about it and said I wanted to go see how much it was, and I brought him with me so that he could see it. When I asked the seller how much, I clenched up waiting for the inevitably outrageous price and heard "$20". A look must have come across my face that made him think I thought that was too high (which I didn't, obviously!), so he quickly said, "ok, $15."
Trying to keep my game-face on (and not doing a very good job, I'm sure.. never take me with you to buy a car), I walked quickly over to Ethan and told him. He gave it a look-over and I knew he was thinking "this thing is too big, and it's wrapped around a wooden frame, so it can't be folded down... and..."
I told the seller we had traveled from the States and was worried about transporting it back and he was like "well, you could always take it off the frame.."
BINGO. I was all over that. Before I knew it, I was the proud owner of this lovely thing and I convinced Ethan it would be no biggie to get it off that frame. He being the good husband he is, went along with it with no complaints and even tracked down the tools we needed to pry the piece from the frame. It came off easily and I was able to fold it up and easily take it home with me.
I have no idea if this is an original piece or if it was made from a mass-produced pattern, BUT, my guess is that it's an original piece. It seems too freeform and unique and LARGE. I can't imagine this came as part of a craft kit of something. It's definitely European, so maybe my European readers might have an idea?
I absolutely love the mix of appliquéd fabrics, patterns and felt, and the sketch-like handstitching. Most of all, I adore the very expressive looks on the children's faces.
It really needs to be cleaned, but I just don't know how to go about doing that. Part of me doesn't want to mess with it, and I wouldn't clean it myself. I was going to iron it, but don't want to set any of the dirt. All in all, the condition doesn't bother me, I'm just so glad it was salvaged. I have no idea how old it is. Can anyone take a guess? I'm going to stretch it around either a pre-made canvas, or buy some stretcher bars and put it together myself. We have an amazing art supply store in Atlanta that sells many different sizes and shapes of premade canvases, so I'm going to bring it with me to see if it fits any. Then I need to find the perfect place to hang it.
Do you have any experience with cleaning vintage embroideries/canvas? Any tips?
Have you ever found something so unique and amazing while traveling that you just couldn't resist bringing it home?
Ah, I LOVE this. I once bought a vintage Eskimo doll (sorry for the non-PC term!) with an embroidered face and I made the dumb mistake of trying to clean it with OXY clean. The embroidery thread bled onto the cloth and now it looks like a hot mess. I wish I had never tried. Beware!
Anyway, this is a great find and that price is on point! I'm an awful haggler too. I think it's all in the eyes...
Posted by: Christina | January 22, 2013 at 08:52 AM
What a gorgeous find! I would have slapped you if you hadn't gotten it!
I once washed a 100 year old doll in a pillowcase pinned shut with my washer set to extra gentle using cold water.
Maybe hand wash it in Woolite?
Good luck and please let us know how it turns out!
Posted by: Leslie | January 22, 2013 at 10:10 AM
I've successfully hand washed many vintage doilies and embroidered cloths. First just soak in for a while in cold water, and then gently scrub it with your hands. Let it drip dry. I've been amazed at what I've been able to get out just doing this! You can also try the same process using a very gentle soap if you don't get good results with just water. Good luck!
Posted by: Jen Higgins | January 22, 2013 at 11:35 AM
I'd recommend to let it soak in some lukewarm water mixed with curd soap or a soft laundry detergent in a bathtub or something similar for at least 30 minutes (you can also let it there overnight if the dirt is really old because the fabric is cotton/felt/wool). Then rub out the dirt and staining with a soft brush, maybe even a toothbrush. Leave out the stitching, the yarn, while doing that.
Let it dry in horizontal position (This may take up to 2 days, depending on climate).
I'm from Europe and I'm pretty sure your find is from the 70s or 80s (depends on the area where it was made) and it´s a original that has been handmade. I used to have a similar one at my walls when I was a young kid.
This kind of wall decoration/hanging was in common before posters became popular and developing photographs or negatives were way too expensive.
Enjoy your find! :)
Posted by: Anja | January 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM
I'm from Amsterdam myself and think this is a very unique piece that you have. Definitely not a pre made pattern, I have never seen one like this before.
I think it could be made in the 40'-50's as the games that are shown that the children are playing is something we played from many many moons ago. I grew up in the 50/60's and we still played these games outdoors. Interesting is the child that is standing near the light pole. He or she looks Asian, this could have been in the time that many people from Indonesia moved to the Netherlands. The Netherlands occupied Indonesia until somewhere in the 50's and many of the former colonies moved to the Motherland.
The item with the wheels is called an autoped or a step. I used to have one myself and would use it to get to and from kindergarten, yes by myself, I was 5 years old than. The time it took to get to school was about 20 minutes. Mom's didn't have to worry that much in that time.
I would contact a specialist in these things and ask how to clean it. I myself would be afraid that the colors would bleed if I would put it in water. You will kick yourself if that would happen ;-)
Unlike Anja I think it's made in the 50/60's.
Posted by: Christine | January 22, 2013 at 03:17 PM
Stunning find! It reminds me of a "modern" Bayeux Tapestry. You are a very lucky girl :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Posted by: The Glamorous Housewife | January 22, 2013 at 04:06 PM
thank you SO SO MUCH for all of the feedback! I especially love the guesses on where it might have come from and from what decade. It's fun to guess.. it's all such a mystery! Also, i bought some of this to see if I can get some of the dirt out: http://www.acmoore.com/p-23703-treasure-wash-for-cross-stitch-8-ounce.aspx Will keep you posted on how it works!
Posted by: thompson family | January 23, 2013 at 06:24 AM
Oh man. I'm horrible at cleaning anything old other than relying on watered down oxyclean to be honest. But it is soo stunning.
I was just thinking about your amazing trip to Amsterdam! I'm planning a trip to London for later this year, but would love to do a quick hop up to Amsterdam!
Posted by: Dottie | January 23, 2013 at 06:58 PM
So beautiful!! love it!!! i take note of all those cleaning tips ;)
I'm not very good at cleaning vintage findings, i always love how they look and I'm afraid to clean them and take they charm off...
Posted by: Misako Mimoko | January 24, 2013 at 08:06 AM