No Crown in Heaven, 19th C. Gold Beaded Punch Paper Embroidery on SIlk Ribbon piecework ball seeming sturdy and stoic despite

seeming sturdy and stoic despite her lost toes (and part of one arm) but also looking profoundly alone

too--all feeling like a celebration of mark making and adding up to what feels like a joyful portrait of a good woman

A sweet old German Erzgebirge stable

and a delight to discover as I am forever coveting (but unable to afford) Grenfell Mission rugs

with an excess of attitude

No Crown in Heaven, 19th C. Gold Beaded Punch Paper Embroidery on SIlk Ribbon piecework ball seeming sturdy and stoic despiteI've only seen a few, but have a special love for punch paper embroideries done with gold beads, especially appropriate here for delivering a holy message and depicting cross and crown! With a satisfying sort of rebus aspect to the use of the icons, and excellent lettering above, below, and in between. As I've often said, I'm not the least bit religious, but I have a penchant for the formal expressions of religiosity, and really love the very