SEE BETTY RING (Pg378)-IMPRESSIVE 1805 FOLWELL SCHOOL!

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SEE BETTY RING (Pg378)-IMPRESSIVE 1805 FOLWELL SCHOOL!

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Sold Date: 01/07/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Textiles, Clothing & Accessories

Betty Ring is considered the consummate authority on samplers and needlework in America,and her double volume book titled"Girlhood Embroidery",is considered the bible in this field.She not only devoted the cover plate of Volume 2,but also 10 full pages, to the Samuel Folwell School of Philadelphia, w this spectacular example I am offering was worked.Ms. Ring states:".....their output,(Samuel Folwell and his wife),became the largest body of neoclassical silk embroidery to survive from Federal America"! Samuel and his wife ran the most important school in the Philadelphia area,and probably in all of America at the time ........in March of 1793 Folwell announced the opening of his school (see Girlhood Embroidery-pg378) and that year married Ann Elizabeth Gebler with whom he collaborated to produce these rare needlework embroideries.Ms. Ring comments on the extreme popularity of their school,noting that even the daughter of famous American artist Charles Peale Polk attended the Folwell School at 18 years of age (see example-pg387 Girlhood Embroidery),despite the fact the fact that her father ran a school as well......"The number of Folwell embroideries offer convincing evidence that working an impressive pictorial needlework at Mrs. Folwell's school must have been the craze of considerable proportion with affluent schoolgirls and young women of Philadelphia( and the surrounding area) between 1800 and 1820".Ms. Ring also notes (pg 387) the commanding size and presentation of these rare and important pieces,which adds to their overwhelming visual impact.... "Many of these embroideries are of a monumental size unequaled elsew in America". This extraordinary example (22x26) depicts a 3-dimensional,animated scene by a thatched cottage (a traditional Folwell element): with 2 young ladies swinging on a branch, and a third nestled against a tree trunk watching her lamb......the entire scene exquisitely worked in silk on silk with watercolor detail in the faces of the girls,as well as the sky. Conserved on acid free board,the piece is breathtaking ,with minimal loss for such extensive stitchwork, which in no way compromises the overall integrity and presentation. The same can be said for watercolor and the silken ground,which only has some minor weakness to rhe right of the each lady standing. The amazing contrast,overall resolution, memorable original frame,and expert needlework combine to create a visual splendor that is eye catching from across a very large room.As a collector at heart,I continue to try and offer significant American examples for passionate collectors at wholesale,and below wholesale prices....and this one is no exception. In pristine condition these prized American Folwell school examples bring prices beginning in the 5 figure range. This rare piece,however, in its well preserved condition,is priced significantly below wholesale with a mere 495 reserve (the frame alone worth a couple hundred dollars-see close up picture 6). Any serious collector would covet a Folwell piece in this vibrant condition with such a low reserve;as it represents a rare opportunity to add an exclamation point to their collection! A highly recognizable conversation piece it represents the ultimate in American schoolgirl needlework.