Hol(e)y: c. 1870s Punch Paper "Lacework" Cross in Adirondack Frame American Crayon Company The watercolor is early

The watercolor is early

but for the seam up one side having lost and inch or two of stitching at the top

showing a few small nicks here and there and a little dryness to the wood

with red and white name label reading "Ralph Whipple" sewn to one edge

printed on the back surrounded by two leafy branches

Hol(e)y: c. 1870s Punch Paper "Lacework" Cross in Adirondack Frame American Crayon Company The watercolor is earlyI've certainly bought and sold a good number of antique perforated punch paper embroideries, but this is the first piece of paper "lacework" I've had, which was created by very carefully cutting away from a large piece of perforated paper to form the shape of a cross and complex interior pattern including many dozens more (tiny) crosses. Rather miraculous, really! Most examples of these I've found seem to date to the 1870s, so I presume this one does