Ann Bowden 1811

Description

This unusual sampler is probably of Scottish origin. The distinctive French-inspired mansion house and the peacocks are commonly found on Scottish samplers. Adam and Eve are realistically stitched in the Garden, by effectively working two quite simple stitches together: cross, outlined by stem stitch, to give their shapes fluidity and movement. The sun, wearing a jaunty black derby hat, and an eyelet stitched moon, flank the thunderous clouds overhead. In the lower half of the sampler is a spinning monkey motif, usually found on Dutch samplers, as well as a variation on Solomon’s Temple, and a windmill. Our model has been stitched on 40-count linen to more closely approximate the size of the original sampler.