ENGLISH BAND SAMPLER circa 1680-90

The sampler consists of nine finely stitched pattern bands stitched with silk on linen, in a palette of three alternating colors, with an alphabet at the bottom. Stitches used are mostly double running stitch, with some cross, montenegrin cross and seeding.

The sampler is in excellent condition with some fading of the silk and two small stains: one in the first band, the larger one in the third band. It appears never to have been framed. I have framed it in a new period-style frame, mounted over linen with spacers and museum conservation glass. The sampler itself measures 17-1/2″ x 8″, with the frame it is 21-1/4″ x 11-1/2″.