Antique Samplers

Margaret Reid 1837

MARGARET REID 1837 Possibly Scottish, a very well-preserved sampler that was likely never framed. (There is an acquisition tag sewn to the edge but the source collection is unknown.)  An unusual, elaborate four-sided floral and leaf border surrounds a central reserve with a brief moral verse, Adam and Eve with a turquoise serpent under the…

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Ann Dent 1799

ANN DENT HER SAMPLER FINISHED DECEMBER 23 1806 BORN APRIL THE 9 1799 That’s as much as I can say about Ann Dent’s sampler, which I believe was made in New England on homespun linen with very fine wool threads.  It’s an alphabet sampler with a few geometric pattern bands.  Stitches used are cross, eyelet,…

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Mary Patton 1803

MARY PATTON 1803 An American band sampler stitched on homespun linen with silk threads, consisting of alphabets, numerals, inscription, and spot motifs within a three-sided floral border. The inscription: Mary Patton her sampler made in the 11 year of her age 1803 Ambitious stitches used in her sampler are cross, eyelet, Queen, counted satin, and…

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Amelia Wilson 1837

AMELIA WILSON  1837 A very finely stitched English sampler in superb condition with an unusual pomegranate and palm leaf border, executed in three tiers.  The top contains a verse flanked by intricate floral sprays and beneath the verse are more meticulously stitched foliate sprays and a vignette of a small pond with a swimming duck.…

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Agnes Binnie 1824

AGNES BINNIE 1824 Scottish sampler made in Linlithgow, West Lothian, in 1824. Agnes Binnie was born in nearby Stirling on March 22nd, 1808. Her father was Robert Binnie, age 45, and her mother was Mary Addie, age 34. At the age of 23 Agnes married James Barclay on March 16th, 1832, in Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Together…

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Martha Maskell 1799

MARTHA MASKELL 1799 A miniature sampler that could be American, stitched in silk on linen. The verse is: Salvation to the Lord belongs He only can defend This clessing he extends to all That on his pow’r depends Excellent original color, gilt frame possibly original 8″ x 6″

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Sarah Sanger

Very finely stitched English sampler featuring a verse titled “RELIGION” and many charming motifs, surrounded by a four sided vining border. At the top she has stitched Adam and Eve under the tree, a small rendition of Solomon’s Temple, trees, flowers, sheep and a dog. In the lower right corner there is a shepherd and…

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Catherine Anne Smith

Beautiful, finely stitched English sampler with a meandering four sided floral border centering three registers, the first with trumpeting angels flanking a religious verse with tiny birds and insects over a petit point diving band.

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Elizabeth Cheetham

A wonderful sampler, possibly stitched in the north of England (see Scottish influences), with silk and fine wool on tammy cloth, using cross and counted satin stitches. It is marked “Elizabeth Cheetham work this in the 11 year of her age.” This might be one Elizabeth Cheetham who was born in 1813 to James and…

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May Fool 1833

Scottish sampler with a four sided rosebud border, and the large illuminated initials of JF and JK at the top, very likely May’s parents.  The verse is flanked by two stylized deer (more resembling benches than animals). The verse is: Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the lord she…

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German (Saxon) Band Sampler 1795

GERMAN (SAXON) BAND SAMPLER, DATED 1795 This extraordinary band sampler begins with a large parrot on a branch eating cherries, followed by four successive pictorial, allegorical bands.  Twenty-one horizontal rows of various stylized alphabets and crown motifs follow, by six final horizontal bands composed of flowers and vines.  The color is very good (the colors…

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Eleanor Mills 1792

ELEANOR MILLS BORN 13 DAY OF APRIL IN 1792 A four-sided border surrounds a series of horizontal pattern bands  including flowering plants, birds, and honeysuckle above a four-line verse: Remember Lord thy Creature in distress Comfort Me for I am ComfortLess, Pardon my sin Before this world I leave that I a crown of Glory…

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