Early 19th Century American Homespun Wool Embroidery Candle Mat

A small wonder, rare survivor--and one just wants to pet it! It really never ceases to amaze me that things like the have endured. Early 19th century New England I believe, homespun, hand-dyed wool on handwoven linen/cotton, this would have been made as a candle mat, though with no cloth backing, perhaps it was never finished for use. Some stitches lost to the needlepoint rose and orange ground at center, but quite stable, and the fluffy wool perimeter is all tightly attached. Charming.

Approx 5" x 5". Some stitches lost to the needlepoint at center as documented, but all quite stable and not fragile. Not musty, strong color, and I love the back as much as the front!