This is a beautiful, colorful Scottish sampler stitched with a wonderful variety of stitches including satin, queen, eyelet, petit point, cross and back. A four sided arcaded floral border surrounds two alphabets, numerals and family initials in the upper register. The lower register consists of two horizontal floral bands including strawberries, stylized carnations and a maze reminiscent of those found on 17th and early 18th century samplers. The name M. Gowan at the bottom was perhaps her teacher. The overall color and condition is very good, with minor fading and a slight darkening of the background linen. 12″ x 16-1/2″, within an older frame.