Fancy Antique Hand-stitched Wreath-Like Mat with Velvet Center interesting tool lovingly made by hand and

lovingly made by hand and incorporating a variety of woods into decorative details on all sides

with the LAO who initialed it clearly practicing her needlepoint skills across three vertical spans of what I read as towers of flowers

dated May 1909

I'm guessing this was taken about c

and 39 figures by my count

Fancy Antique Hand-stitched Wreath-Like Mat with Velvet Center interesting tool lovingly made by hand andI love the back of this mat as much as the front, revealing all of the hand stitching involved in its construction. I'm guessing made as a candle mat, with one candle to stand on the black velvet at center (a wonderfully imperfectly shaped circle). Found in Pennsylvania, late 19th c. I would guess. I'd be inclined to hang it on the wall, like a shining star or sun or wreath, but it would also be great at the center of the table. Approx 12" in diameter