The peacock is actually an intricate applique sewn onto the patchwork, which is silk, velvet and damask (with one oddball patch of blue/white gingham.) On the velvet leaf directly beneath the bird the maker added some veins in red ink:
I'm entirely perplexed by the curving strip (which is beautifully embroidered) as well as the gingham patch:
And then there's this creepy little clown boy trying to grab a huge fly on a richly embroidered silk patch:
On the wine velvet patch is a primitive painted flower bouquet, which is the only embellishment I'd call normal:
The patchwork was sewn to muslin and embroidered, and then covered with another piece of muslin, and embroidered again:
Under the outer muslin layer:
Some of the stitching is expert, like the different stitches decorating the yellow silk patch under the peacock's tail. Some of the stitching looks like a child did it (the two wedding rings at the bottom left.) This may have been passed along from mother to daughter to practice on, although that seems weird to me, too. I love the mystery as well as the strangeness, so this is a fun addition to my collection.
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