Lot 150

Antique c. 1890 Victorian Japanese Export Patriotic Eagle "E Pluribus Unum" Silk Embroidery Panel w/ Glass PERIOD FRAMED

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 150
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6
Antique c. 1890 Victorian Japanese Export Patriotic Eagle "E Pluribus Unum" Silk Embroidery Panel w/ Glass PERIOD FRAMED
Antique c. 1890 Victorian Japanese Export Patriotic Eagle "E Pluribus Unum" Silk Embroidery Panel w/ Glass PERIOD FRAMED
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6

Antique c. 1890 Victorian Japanese Export Patriotic Eagle "E Pluribus Unum" Silk Embroidery Panel w/ Glass PERIOD FRAMED

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000

Current Bid: $110

(2 Bids)
by One Source Auctions
August 3, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Live Auction
177 S. Main St.
Canandaigua, NY, US 14424

An antique "E Pluribus Unum" silk eagle is a highly valuable, museum-quality piece of late 19th to early 20th-century military and maritime folk art. The vast majority of these textiles are "sailor souvenirs" or presentation pieces, hand-stitched by master textile artisans in Asian port cities during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Following Commodore Matthew Perry's 1854 opening of Japan to the West and the expansion of trade with China, Asian port cities like Yokohama, Nagasaki, and Canton established specialized embroidery shops. Production reached an absolute frenzy between 1890 and 1909. A huge surge occurred when President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet docked in Yokohama in 1908, prompting thousands of American sailors to purchase patriotic embroideries to send home to their families. A large, majestic American bald eagle with outstretched wings dominates the center. In its beak, it holds a swirling banner or ribbon reading "E Pluribus Unum" (Latin for "Out of many, one"). Its talons clutch a federal stars-and-stripes shield, bundles of arrows, and olive branches, flanked by crossed American flags. Trapunto & Metallic Thread: The eagles are typically rendered in trapunto embroidery (a raised, puffy, padded 3D technique) stitched with fine silk and wrapped gold or silver metallic threads. The Glass Eye: A classic hallmark of a genuine Japanese port piece is a tiny three-dimensional glass taxidermy eye sewn into the eagle's head, giving it an surprisingly lifelike gaze. The Background: Most were worked on a heavy field of solid black, cream, or deep navy blue silk or satin. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request

  • Dimensions: Framed 29" x 26". Embroidery piece is 17.5" x 21"
  • Condition: Good - Very Good Condition with some fraying on the right side of the banner

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship Worldwide, at Buyer's Expense. PLEASE CONTACT PRIOR TO BIDDING IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SHIPPING QUOTE!! Allow a 24 hour period for quotes. Shipping quotes are figured before invoices are sent out. Multiple shipping companies (USPS, UPS, Fedex, Greyhound, etc.) will be looked into for the best rate. Large paintings and other large items may be packed by a third party.

One Source Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 21% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $5
$100 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 + $500