Woman in Finery with Hand-drawn Face, Wonderful Late 18th/Early 19th Century Silk Embroidery on Paper stoneware bowl though perhaps a female santo

though perhaps a female santo

) running the length of the ship-- and a verse on reverse reminding us that mirth is the medicine of life

I believe I have them correctly oriented in accordance with the placement of the text on reverse

To me it's like a more succinct and visceral version of a rag ball

I really like the big leafy branches at either side

Woman in Finery with Hand-drawn Face, Wonderful Late 18th/Early 19th Century Silk Embroidery on Paper stoneware bowl though perhaps a female santoI purchased this one from a very knowledgable, longtime dealer of antique textiles and folk art with an exquisite eye. A few years ago I purchased a marvelous silk embroidery of a very folky bird on brown paper just like this, in original frame under very thin blown glass one of my favorite things ever, and which immediately came to mind when I saw this. This is very early 19th century or perhaps even late 18th, American I believe, and the dealer