Antonia Gonzales, a Spanish Sampler dated 1842

This antique is SOLD. Purchase sampler kit, graph or finished model (if available) for yourself.

The unusual circling alphabets and brilliant satin stitching distinguish this sampler, probably made in the village of Brozas in Caceres. Extremadura, Spain. The inscription reads:

LO HIZO AN
TONIA GONZALEZ
DISCIPVLA DE MI
SRA M(e) TRADA LV
CIA SHZ DE BUSTA-
MANTE BROZASS
I AGOSTO DE 1842

This says that the sampler was made by Antonia Gonzalez in August of the year 1842. The text should be translated as:
Made by Antonia González Student of my teacher (“Señora Maestra”, abbreviated to “Sra Mtra”) doña (abbreviated to “da”) Lucía Sánchez (abbreviated to “Shz”) de Bustamante Brozass. In keeping with Spanish naming traditions, this married – she is a Sra (Señora), not a Srta (Señorita)- teacher uses her father’s name (Sánchez) and her husband’s name (de Bustamante, indicating she is “of Bustamante”). Da is a standard abbreviation of doña, a title of respect. Abbreviations of common Spanish surnames (Fernández, Martínez, etc.) is not unusual, although Sánchez is more often abbreviated as “Schz”. Thanks to Laura Shepin for providing this translation.

Stitches used in the sampler are cross, four sided, and counted satin. It measures 14″ square and has been framed to museum standards with acid free backing, museum glass, and spacers. While it is somewhat faded, with a small amount of silk loss, the overall condition is very good.