Sharktooth specializes in found antique and vintage decorative textiles. Recognizing their finite nature, we preserve their artistry and craftsmanship and position them as both functional and ornamental. We reject trends that diminish their integrity and instead champion their enduring beauty and significance.
Sharktooth’s mission, distilled to its essence, continues with a few specialty collections a year. Please find our first presentation of this below.
Collection 01.
c. 1880 - 1900. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - Mennonite attributed. Quilted initials "EES". Radiant and harmonious marriage of graphic piecing and color theory. Side one is a traditional "Ocean Wave" pattern in luminous ink, geranium, olive, and nectar. Side two is a slim "Concentric Squares" pattern in a similar rich palette - bronze, chestnut, dune, and camellia. Skillful hand quilting in a alternating diagonal and stripe stitch. Made of cotton, silk, and wool - likely salvaged from previous use. Heavy yet thin. In perfect, unused condition, although silk material shows signs of age, fragile and shattered throughout.
1970's, Southwestern United States. Likely a workshop sampler to show design diversity. Nine compartments of unique graphic patterns. Skillful use of color, shape, and scale - complimentary tones of raffia, bentonite, rose, tangerine, and teal. Downy alpaca wool on slender cotton warps. Handle is thin and very flexible. Beautiful vintage condition, no issue. Prepared with hanging loops for display.
c. 1940's, Mongolia. Unclouded grouping of five tapestry-woven Fenhuang or Phoenix birds on an ice blue ground. Even bands of soil, slate, peach, and fog hold the composition from top and bottom. On one side are additional hand drawn pencil marks - botanic ornaments - origins unknown and never completed. Vegetable-dyed wool wefts on a cotton warp. Sturdy with thin flexible handle. Some wear throughout, and soft lovely fraying at one end.
c. 1880 - 1910, New Mexico, United States. Thirteen band blanket with isolated design elements - chevrons, diamonds, hourglasses - characteristic of Saltillo weaving. Mature natural indigo and cochineal dyes faded to hues of lavender, cornflower, sumac, and salmon. Likely woven on a narrow Spanish treadle loom in two widths and hand seamed. Densely packed single spun churro wool with a weighty hand. One side has scattered discoloration.
1920 - 1930’s. Attributed to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Alabama. Style designated as the Official quilt of Alabama in 1997. Single and significant emanating sphere. Constructed of folded triangles, or "prairie points", hand sewn side-by-side onto a muslin foundation in concentric circles. Hundreds of different fabric scraps - salvaged, saved, and repurposed. Textural and extremely heavy. In good sturdy condition with the exception of some weakness in middle.
1960's, Himalayas. Functional "Khaden" - sleeping or sitting rug. Calm tamarind yellow ground with neat rows of ornamental crosses surrounded by traditional checkerboard. Distinct hues of black, bisque, bone, and dove gray. Directional wool pile on sturdy cotton warp. Good structural integrity, some pile wear, especially towards center.
c. 1900 - 1910, Pennsylvania. Pronounced primary "Magic Square" grid. Natural and faded dyes - indigo, poppy, and honeysuckle. Backed with a tiny even calico print. Intricate and skillfully hand quilted with fruiting vines, wreaths, and an on-point grid. Beautifully aged as a whole, soft and pliant cotton. Structurally sound and carefully kept. About 12 total sq. in. of discoloration.
c. 1940 - 1950, United States. Effervescent and celestial composition in saturated lupine, ultramarine, partridge, and chalk. Densely hand-hooked with remnants of cotton shirting, silk dressing, and wool. Excellent condition, stable and hardly used.
c. 1600 - 1800, Flanders, Belgium. Classical 'Verdure' style with designs rooted in botanical imagery. Group of multiple Iris inflorescence. Aged natural dyes in earthy colors of cinnamon, sand, lapis, and juniper. Reproduction galons border and linen backing. Heavily restored, reweaves with early 20th century synthetic dyes. Condition fair, many slits throughout, appropriate for display only.
c. 1950 - 1960, United States. Playful yet polished arrangement of traditional "Half Square Triangle" pattern. Made of multiple colorways of the same wool crepe stripe in gentle tones of currant, yarrow, sweet pea, saddle, and sea. Distinct and welcoming texture - handle is embraceable, cozy. Backed with a synthetic satin stripe. Face in near perfect condition. Please note, one area of discoloration (est. 16 sq.in.) on backside.
c. 1950, Sweden. Traditional Rya weave. Huge single astro black medallion, filled with organic compartments and color, suspended on a warm tonal ground. Minimal palette of wheat, anise, harbor, and spring. Light catching knotted pile - 3/4" soft wool shag. Beautiful condition with attractive patina, single 1 sq. in. of loss.
