“CMG” German Band Sampler 1744 Antique

Description

A GERMAN BAND SAMPLER INITIALED “CMG” AND DATED 1744

Possible made in Saxony, this impressive long sampler features many traditional Renaissance and Baroque needlework motifs found in Johan Sibmacher’s 1604 edition of Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer gemacht… printed in the shop of Balthasar Caimox in Nuremberg, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The enormous parrot, the woman spinning, the lamb of god, the peacock, the stag, the elaborately dressed courting couple, and even many of the geometric pattern bands in the lower section, can all be traced to these early published pattern books.

The sampler is stitched on linen with silk threads, and has never been framed, but was possibly kept as a pattern reference. While the front is now faded the linen remains in excellent condition, and enough color remains from what was once quite a spectacularly brilliant work. It has been stitched almost entirely in cross stitch, and measures 10-5/8″ x 40″.

It is unframed.