RARE American Revolution Revolutionary War Era Patriotic Embroidery 13 Star Flag

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RARE American Revolution Revolutionary War Era Patriotic Embroidery 13 Star Flag:
$6000.00

Up for sale is an extremely scarce, believed to be original Revolutionary War Era Patriotic Needlepoint/Embroidery with a Military Theme, framed in a later antique frame. It consists of an eagle, holding a musket with bayonet in the right talon with what looks like a Pike or Spear (pole arms being a common weapon in use during the revolution, although being at the end of life cycle and obsolete in worldwide military use). In the left talon, the eagle holds a ceremonial sword, possibly indicating meritorious honorable service during the revolution. It should be noted, the sword is in a Masonic style, (like a fraternity sword which is quite unusual and perhaps a reference to the Masons?) as they were the first to use the sword style of cross which was copied by many fraternal organizations in the early to mid 1800\'s). The eagle is also holding the green olive branch of peace indicating war for peace in the colonies, represented by the 13 stars on the Flag.
The Needlepoint is very old, with wear and fading consistent to age but it is still in remarkable condition. With the totality of the age of fabric, wear and patina, type of thread and fabric, presence of pole arms, style of musket, it is believed to be circa 1780\'s-1820\'s. It is almost impossible to tell without forensic testing for age but there are many clues as described above to show it is much earlier then civil war. On the back you can see the interesting material of the needlepoint, which is unlike any fabric we have seen in our 35 years of collecting antiques. It looks like a very thick silk material, but it is very hard like nylon and quite unusual. The thickness/hardness of that material, (perhaps a tar coated silk or treated canvas such as found on ship sails?) explains why it did not disintegrate over time as it is very tough material that is primitive and simple. It looks similar to the materials found on very early chairs from the late colonial period of the 1700\'s which we have seen and sold in our antiques business, lending further evidence it is of the period. It appears to have been reframed in the late 1800\'s to early 1900\'s based on the antique frame style and perhaps cleaned and re-stored at a later time. Measures 19 1/4\" x 19 1/4\" total in frame with the needlepoint itself at 16\" x 16\". An exceptional find would make for a great centerpiece in a historical or military collection, framed and ready to display. All reasonable offers considered.
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