Antique Round Braided Silk Tabletop Mat - Two of Two wooden spoon with hooked handle though occasionally surprisingly poetic

though occasionally surprisingly poetic

In an old black-painted wood frame

I think this old catcher's mitt is such a gorgeous sculptural object

Signed with what appears to be a "Ia" at top left

it seems possible that they were chess pieces—if so

Antique Round Braided Silk Tabletop Mat - Two of Two wooden spoon with hooked handle though occasionally surprisingly poeticI've become such a fan of these old braided mats, and look at a lot of them before landing on ones I really like. This and one other I am listing I found together and assume were made by the same person, who I think had a very good eye for color and pattern. Good on the table under the coffee pot or tea pot or dishes or candlesticks or whatever. 13 1 2" in diameter and in good antique condition on both side, definitely used and a bit faded, but lovely.