Woven Silk Picture Appraisal

The Lady Godiva Procession Stevengraph

This item is a Stevengraph, which is a pictorial scene produced using an intricate jacquard-woven silk technique developed by Thomas Stevens of Coventry, England, during the late 19th century (circa 1880s). The specific scene depicted is 'The Lady Godiva Procession,' showing a historical parade through the streets of Coventry with a multichromatic ensemble of figures on horseback and spectators against a backdrop of architectural buildings. The silk panel is mounted into its original cream or buff-colored cardboard mat. Physically, the piece demonstrates significant signs of age and distress; most notably, there is a large vertical tear extending from the top edge of the card down toward the top of the silk window. The card shows heavy foxing, browning (toning), and staining throughout, particularly visible as green and brown discolorations on the right side. The silk itself appears somewhat vibrant but may have slightly faded over time. Below the silk window, the title 'The Lady Godiva Procession' is printed in a stylized Gothic-style typeface. The craftsmanship represents high-quality Victorian industrial textile art, utilizing thousands of threads to create a detailed narrative image. Given the condition issues including the structural tear and environmental staining, the item requires conservatory care to prevent further degradation.