Anon. Basket of Flowers with Ladybird

An original late 19th-century mixed media Basket of Flowers with Ladybird.

A delightful antique feltwork still life, comprising woven felt basket, cut, layered and painted felt flowers, and additional embroidery, knotwork and hand-painting. A small ladybird sits on the leaf at the upper left.

The work has a wonderful folk art appeal, but at the same time is very skilfully executed. Feltwork was a popular Georgian and Victorian craft. Extant examples are relatively rare and highly collectable.

The backing card around which the fabric is wrapped bears the stamp of 'Mayger' [Nathaniel?], a photographer of High Street, Hounslow. Whilst this is not necessarily a clue to the artist, Mayger was operating around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Presented in its beautiful original rosewood frame with gold slip (27 x 31.5cm).