Antique Embroidered Icon, Immaculate Conception Tapestry, Our Lady of Graces, Virgin Mary Guadalupe Catholic Art, Silk Gold Thread, 19thC

This antique hand-embroidered religious icon from the late 19th or early 20th century represents the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, traditionally identified as Our Lady of Graces and associated by the collector with Our Lady of Guadalupe. The piece stands out for its exceptional execution, featuring a meticulously hand-embroidered face and hands, set against a luxurious white floral damask silk background.

Iconographically, the composition follows the strict classical Marian iconography: the Virgin stands on a terrestrial globe, crushing the serpent of sin under her feet, with a crescent moon below and a circular halo containing stars representing her cosmic queenship. The use of metallic purl and gold bullion embroidery was a highly specialized technique reserved for ecclesiastical textiles and elite household altars in Western Europe and colonial-influenced regions, reflecting deep devotional craftsmanship of the late Victorian era.

* Period: Late 19th to early 20th century
* Technique / Style: Hand embroidery, satin stitch, split stitch, metallic gold and silver thread purl work
* Size: Width: 36 cm (14.2 inches), Height: 65 cm (25.6 inches) including frame
* Material: Silk thread, metallic wire, silk damask fabric, wood frame, protective glass
* Condition: Very good antique condition. The silk background and embroidery threads display minor age-consistent toning and very light fading, with no significant structural loss. Hand-embroidered facial features and hands remain remarkably crisp and intact. Housed in a contemporary protective wood frame with a glass front.

This exquisite piece holds historical and artistic value for serious collectors of antique ecclesiastical textiles, late-Victorian craft, and collectors of rare Marian iconography.