Ann Jones 1776

Description

In the upper register of this finely stitched English sampler there is featured an unusual vignette of Adam and Eve beneath the tree of life (with a menacing black faced serpent) flanked by mirror image brick cottages (his and hers?), followed by a pious verse:

Praise the Lord enthron’d on high
Praise him in his Sanctity
Praise him for his mighty Deed
Praise him for mity Seads

(The last two words do not make sense.) There are many charming motifs in the lower two thirds of the sampler including some rather wonky looking birds, a pair of reclining stags, flying cherubs blowing horns, and two soldiers or guards standing at attention on either side of a crown on a cushion, with the initials GR stitched above it (for George III, 1760-1820). At the bottom on either side of the attribution are adorable stylized sheep, squirrels and thistles, all within a four sided floral border. Stitches used in the sampler are cross over two, cross over one (very little, only in the lettering), and counted satin. On 40 count linen the finished reproduction sampler will measure approximately 17″ x 19″.