Continental Samplers

Samplers of northern Europe are often less symmetrical than their English and American counterparts. The emphasis is more on symbolic representations or pattern records than stitch variety or pictorial formula. Religious symbols are found on almost all continental samplers, and Adam and Eve in particular is the principal motif on samplers from Protestant Northern Germany. Other frequently used motifs on this body of samplers include the Spies of Canaan carrying their cluster of grapes, the wreath carried by two crowned angels, the Free Maiden, Dutch lion, spinning monkey, Lamb of God, ships, anchors, carnations, roosters, birds and hearts, and stags, all having religious symbolic meanings. In general, cross stitch is the primary stitch used in the creation of these samplers.

CLICK on the sampler ICON to see an enlarged photo and detailed description of the sampler.

ACL 1790

ORIGIN AND DATE: Danish 1790
RATED: Intermediate
LINEN COUNT, FINISHED SIZE: 30 Count, 12-1/2"x14-1/4"
STITCHES: cross , eyelet, Algerian eyelet, four-sided, and counted satin
Kit with cotton floss- $67.00
Kit with silk floss- $153.00
Graph- $16.00

GERMAN SAMPLER BY AED

Origin and date: Northern Germany, 1746
Rated: Intermediate
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 16-1/2"x14"
Stitches: Cross, four-sided, satin
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $45.00
Kit with silk floss: $81.00
Graph only: $12.00

AMAGER PANEL 1799

GRAPH ONLY $20.00

B 1824
A European Spot Motif Sampler
from the collection of the Shelburne Museum

LINEN: 40 count* (*35 count linen can be substituted upon request)
FINISHED SIZE: 28-3/4"x19-1/4" (on 40 count)
RATED: Beginning

Kit with cotton floss- $90.00
Kit with silk floss- $160.00
Graph only- $16.00

THE BLACK GRYPHON

LINEN: 35 count
FINISHED SIZE: 11-1/4"X8-3/4"
RATED: Beginning

Kit with cotton floss-$35.00
Kit with silk floss- $58.00
Graph only- $7.00

Select

CONTINENTAL SAMPLER

Origin and date: Northern Europe, circa 1840
Rated: Beginning
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 12"x16"
Stitches: Cross stitch
Source: Private collection

Kit with cotton floss: $40.00
Kit with silk floss: $80.00
Graph only: $10.00

DUTCH SAMPLER OF 1773

Linen: 35 count hand dyed (The Scarlet Letter's EXCLUSIVE weave)
Finished size: 25-1/2"x14"
Rated: Beginning

Kit with cotton floss- $57.00
Kit with silk floss- $88.00
Graph only: $12.00

FAK-MEK

Origin and date: Northern Germany, 1779
Rated: Beginning
Linen count/finished size: 30 count, 15"x14-1/2"
Stitches: Cross, four-sided, eyelet, straight
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $44.00
Kit with silk floss: $82.00
Graph only: $7.00

FWSA 1826

Origin and date: Italian 1826
LINEN: 40 count*(*35 count linen can be substituted upon request.)
Finished size: 21-3/4"x15"
Rated: Intermediate

Kit with cotton floss- $91.00
Kit with silk floss- $190.00
Graph only- $18.00

DUTCH SAMPLER BY GSD

Origin and date: Northern Holland, 1684
Rated: Intermediate
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 9"x28"
Stitches: Cross, double running, satin, eyelet
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $38.00
Kit with silk floss: $55.00
Graph only: $8.00

IAMEK DATED 1801

Linen: 35-Count Unbleached
Finished Size: 14 1/2" x 17"
Rated: Beginning, Intermediate

Kit with Cotton Floss: $44.00
Kit with Silk Floss: $71.00
Graph only: $10.00

DUTCH SAMPLER BY I.D.

Origin and date: Holland, 1819-20
Rated: Beginning
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 16"x15-1/4"
Stitches: Cross stitch
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $38.00
Kit with silk floss: $56.00
Graph only: $8.00

IRS 1738

LINEN: 35 COUNT
FINISHED SIZE: 15-3/4" X 16"
SKILL LEVEL: ANY
KIT WITH COTTON FLOSS- $55.00
KIT WITH SILK FLOSS- $110.00
GRAPH ONLY- $15.00

GERMAN SAMPLER BY JCS

Origin and date: Thuringia, 1707
Rated: Beginning
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 19-1/2"x13"
Stitches: Cross, back, eyelet
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $46.00
Kit with silk floss: $82.00
Graph only: $11.00

MARIA IGNACIA OLIVERA

Origin and date: Mexico circa 1850
Linen: 30 count
Finished size: 13"x20"
Rated: Advanced

Kit with cotton floss- $62.00
Kit with silk floss- $135.00
Graph alone- $19.00

SDW
A German Band Sampler, circa 1710

LINEN: 35 count
FINISHED SIZE: 11-1/2" x 44-1/2"
SKILL LEVEL: Any
KIT WITH COTTON FLOSS $83.00
KIT WITH SILK FLOSS $170.00
GRAPH ONLY $20.00

ANNIKEN CHRISTENSEN SIMENSEN

Origin and date: Probably Danish 1768
Linen: 40 count**35 count linen can be substituted upon request
Finished size: 16"x15-3/4"
Rated: Intermediate

Kit with cotton floss- $63.00
Kit with silk floss- $124.00
Graph alone- $16.00

THE SIBMACHER SAMPLER

Origin and date: Southern Germany, 1763
Rated: Intermediate
Linen count/finished size: 35 or 40 count, 13-1/2"x22" or 11-1/2x18" (please specify!)
Stitches: Cross, counted satin
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $45.00
Kit with silk floss: $76.00
Graph only: $14.00

VIERLANDE SAMPLER

Origin and date: Northern Germany, 1756
Rated: Beginning
Linen count/finished size: 35 count, 13-1/2"x15-1/2"
Stitches: Cross, double running
Source: The German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Kit with cotton floss: $29.00
Kit with silk floss: $38.00
Graph only: $7.00

AFGHANI BELT

ORIGIN and DATE: Afghanistan 19th Century
LINEN: 35 count
FINISHED SIZE: 3-1/4"x30" (or to size)
RATED: Beginning

Kit with cotton floss- $35.00
Kit with silk floss- $65.00
Graph only- $7.00