Scarce Grenfell Mission Wooden Handle Clutch with Needlepoint Dog and Figure in Green Parka

Regular price $85.00

I'm a huge fan of most everything produced by Grenfell Mission Industries, but had never come across one of these wooden handled clutch purses with needlepoint before. As evident, there is some fading and loss to the the embroidery, which depicts a figure in green parka, blue pants and black boots on a green sled pulled by a brown dog--iconic Grenfell Mission imagery--but I'm quite charmed by it still. 

Grenfell Mission was a social and medical mission founded in 1892 by Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell, (1865-1940) to serve the indigenous communities of Labrador and Newfoundland. To partially fund the mission, a cottage industry employing the skills of local women was established, shaped by Jessie Luther, an artist and teacher from Providence RI with considerable experience in craft production and a champion of the Arts and Crafts movement. Grenfell Mission  products, mostly notably hooked rugs and mats, became known around the world.

10" x 10". Some loss to embroidery and a few light stains to the linen. Structurally sound, no holes to the fabric, clean inside, with label on the interior as shown. 1920s-30s