OK - so I'm doing laundry, playing on the computer (as you can tell) and watching the tiny TV which is in the office. They just appraised a stunning piece of embroidery - rather large picture from 1819 entitled "King Solomon being Visited by the Queen of Sheba" . It was done by the great-great-great of the gentleman who brought it in - and looked to be about 20" X 26" at least. Beautiful - they showed close ups - doen in silks, silk chenille, and of course goldwork - with sequins, and some stones. The appraiser was excited - the piece is from Philly, and she could say from which school it likely came, that the headmistress would've blocked out the design onto the silk ground, then the girl would've stitched. Some amazing work - lots of laid down bullions, and nice variety of work. The guy asked "about how long would this have taken" - as I thought - a year for sure - and that is what the appraiser said - about a year at least, and would've been done at the end of her schooling. So, her appraisal - at auction - $60 - $80 thousand. It's in a new frame, but they actually still have the original, and it is framed with the original pained legend.
Anyone who has a chance - try to see this. I've actually found a link: