Fine Charles II Allegorical Needlework

British, mid 17th century, two seated female figures representing Spring and Fall, within metallic thread cartouche, flanked by leopard and lion in lower corners and birds in upper corners, silk embroidery, silk wrapped wire, needle thread lace at collars and cuffs with mica in castle windows, on cream silk ground, 7-1/2 x 11-1/2 in.; 18th century painted wood frame with carved gilt liner, 10-3/4 x 15 in.Note: This needlework is possibly the work of professional embroiderer, John Nelham. For a similar example, please see: Morrall, Andrew.ÿEnglish Embroidery from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1580-1700: "Twixt Art and Nature", New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 2008. page 31, Figure 2-12. - Provenance: Property from the Collection of Dudley and Constance Godfrey
Condition Report: fading, minor stitch loss to upper right parrot perch, tarnish to metal, later border with tacking holes, mounted to contemporary covered linen board, minor abrasions to frame