This sort of tufted wool embroidery is typically described as Amish "plushwork," or Pennsylvania Dutch "stumpwork", and is most often made wrapping/stitching wool yarn over a template, then cutting the ends of the wool evenly to create a chenille type effect. I've not seen an example incorporating needlepoint before though, which made this one especially interesting to me--though first and foremost it is all about that color! This square mat is an old one too, as the reverse side clearly reveals, c. 1900 or just little earlier I believe. There is one small stain to the needlepoint center, but I've found it just perfect as a mat (and frame to boot) for a pin cushion, say, or some other little treasure. A pretty nice way to display a sixth plate tintype, too--and easy to thread a loop through the back to hang it on the wall. Glowing!
7 5/8" square. One small stain at center, as documented, and plenty of stains/darkening to the fabric back, very nice to see. Sturdy and sound, not at all fragile. One can see on the flip side the original red color of what is now pink on the front--making me appreciate the color all the more in it being the happy product of time and fading.