Antique Samplers
Elizabeth Turner 1781
This finely stitched English sampler is executed in cross, petit point, and counted satin stitches in silk on a fine linen ground. Adam and Eve are positioned beneath the tree of life surrounded by beasts of the field: goats, cows, sheep, horses. The sampler measures 12″x19-1/2″, with the frame the piece measures 16″ x 23″. …
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Ann Whittaker circa 1778
This English sampler is the most funky sort I’ve ever seen with the main characters having electric hair and seeming to play toss the ball with apples.
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Mary Wilson, born 1711
Early English band sampler signed and dated (Mary Wilson born 1711), worked with silk and fine metal wire on linen in cross, Algerian eye, double running stitches and freehand spirals of silver metal, with pattern bands, alphabets, and a pair of “boxers” flanking a chain stitched heart filled with coiled wire medallions. Color and condition…
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Whitework Band Sampler Initialed “EM”, dated 1787
t is in excellent condition apart from four small dark spots clearly visible in the photos, and was de-accessioned from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Stitches used are cross, counted satin, buttonhole, stem, bullion, and Algerian eyelet. 13-1/2″ x 7″, unframed.
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Scandinavian/German Whitework, dated 1601
Possibly an altar cloth, conservation mounted, in excellent condition: textile measures 22″x22″, with the frame and mounting 33″x33″.
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L. Whitear 1816
This English silkwork sampler is stitched in a variety of stitches with a meandering floral border. The condition is very good, no stains, no stitch loss (other than to a few spots where there are small holes, that have been backed with matching linen so they are barely noticeable), the colors good and strong and…
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Dorothy Walpole 1774
An Irish sampler, made by the mother, and including three samplers made by Dorothy Walpole’s daughters, two by Mary Williams dated 1804 and 1805, and one by Elizabeth Williams, dated 1804. It is rare to find family groups of samplers particularly those which span more than one generation. This rare group of four Irish samplers…
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Jane Walker
An late 18th/early 19th century Scottish sampler Stitched with silks on loosely woven linen, this classic Scottish sampler features eight lines of alphabets including one with elaborately illuminated letters, surrounded by a four sided honeysuckle border. Stitches used are cross and double running. Nice condition, with some fading and a few small stains. 19-1/2″ x…
Read MoreHelen Vertue 1812
A Scottish Sampler The sampler is worked in fine silk on a linen ground, in cross stitch in bright colors including pink, mauve, blue, gold, copper, and dark green. The verse reads: WHILE THUS MY FINGERS OER THE SAMPLER ROVE/THE LETTERS FORM OR TEACH THE FLOWERS TO BLOW/OH MAY MY SOUL ASPIRE TO WORLDS ABOVEAND…
Read MoreUnsigned Sampler circa 1840
A four sided floral border surrounds twelve lines of alphabets and numerals over three large flowering plants flanked by birds. Stitched with wool on linen in shades of red, green, tan, rust and brown, entirely in cross stitch. The sampler alone measures 11″ x 15-1/2″, with the matting and frame the outside dimensions are 15-1/2″…
Read MoreHannah Turner 1859
Born in 1841, Hannah Turner made this sampler at the unusually grand age of eighteen years. It features a grandiose version of Solomon’s Temple surrounded by flying angels, birds perched in trees, pots of flowers, stags, dogs, and two human figures, with a four sided floral border. It is stitched in cross stitch, wool on…
Read MoreElizabeth Tremlett 1818
This English sampler is in excellent condition, virtually unfaded in rich shades of blue, red, green, gold, cream and black silks on a finely woven tammy ground. A gold satin stitched sawtooth border surrounds all four sides, and inside that is a four sided meandering floral border, with a third inner sawtooth border surrounding three…
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