Ann Medd 1742

From: $45.00

Origin and date: England, 1742
Rated: Advanced
Linen count and finished size: 35 count, 44″x18
Stitches: Cross, tent, back, counted satin, eyelet, four-sided
Source: Witney Antiques

SKU: samp-106 Category: Tags: ,

Description

This is a most unusual sampler, without precedent, ambitious almost beyond comprehension, the Mother of all Samplers according to some overwhelmed admirers who have seen it in person. It is in effect, four separate samplers in one package: the upper third with the alphabets and a scene of Adam and Eve under the Tree of Life, titled Paradise Lost: the middle third a whimsy of vigorously blooming stylized flower-trees and a very fashionably attired couple with their pet dog, squirrel, and a deer: the lower third an enigmatic amalgam of myth and bucolic idealism; the borders complete the tablets of moralistic verse, each verse beginning with a consecutive letter of the alphabet, A through Z. The symmetry, balanced design, well chosen color, and sheer endurance of the maker, Ann Medd, are astonishing. The lower scene is most nontraditional and curious. A fisherman is engaged hooking a large fish from a meandering stream, while a shepherdess/mermaid (she holds a sheep crook in one hand, the mermaid’s traditional mirror in the other, while her tail floats off into the background) tends her flock of sheep, all under the sun, moon and starts shining above simultaneously.

ADAM AND EVE WHILST INNOCENT IN PARADISE WAS PLACED BUT SOON THE SERPENT BY HIS WILES THE HAPPY PAIR DISGRACE
BLESSINGS ARE UPON THE HEAD OF THE JUST BUT VIOLENCE COVERETH THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED
BELIEVE IN GOD WHO IS THE TRUTH. REMEMBERING THY CREATOR IN THY YOUTH
CONSIDER EVEN THOUGH THOU BE FREE FROM PAIN MAY LAY THEE DOWN AND NEVER RISE AGAIN
DEAR GOD IT MATTERS NOT WHAT MY FORTUNE BE/MAY THEY BUT LEAD ME HOME TO THEE
EVIL FORSAKE THAT WHEN THOU DIE MAY LIVE WITH CHRIST ETERNALLY
FEAR THE GREAT GOD WHOSE MIGHTY POWER SEES THE DARKEST CORNERS OF MANS HEART
GOD IS THE JUST MANS ANCHOR AND HIS HOPE IN WHICH HE MAY BE REBORNE
HE THAT STANDETH AT THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT WITH SAINTS IN HEAVEN DWELL
IF ALL MANKIND WOULD LIVE IN MUTUAL LOVE THIS WORLD WOULD MUCH RESEMBLE THAT ABOVE
KEEP ME ON THE RIGHTEOUS PATH LAID DOWN BY THEE THAT FROM ALL OTHERS I MAY FLEE
LORD GIVE ME WISDOM TO DIRECT MY WAYS. I BEG NOT RICHES NOR YET LENGTH OF DAYS.
MAY YOU TO OTHERS BE KIND AND TRUE AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS BE TO YOU AND NEVER DO OR SAY TO MEN WHAT YOU WOULD NOT TAKE AWAY
NOW LORD OF ALL HE REIGNS ABOVE AND FROM HIS HEAVENLY THRONE HE SEES WHAT CHILDREN DWELL IN LOVE AND MARKS THEM FOR HIS OWN
O GOD HOW GREAT IS THEIR SECURITY WHOSE FONDEST WISH IS VISITED IN THEE
PREPARE TO DIE BEFORE YOUR TIME IS COME REPENT SINCERELY BEFORE YOUR DAYS BE DONE
QUICKEN MY SOUL O LORD GIVE LIFE SO THAT MY DUTY MORE AND MORE MAY KNOW
REMEMBER YOUNG MAID THAT THOU MUST DIE. THE GREATES PRICE AND THOU AND I
SERVE GOD THAT MADE YOU WHILST YOU HAVE BREATH. HONOUR YOUR PARENTS DEAR UNTIL THEIR DEATH
VAIN ARE THE HOPES OF THOSE WHO THINK TO GAIN THIS NOBLE TREASURE WITHOUT TAKING PAINS
WHY SHOULD I SAY THIS YET TOO SOON TO SEEK FOR HEAVEN OR THINK OF DEATH WHEN I MAY FADE BEFORE TIS NOON
EXAMINE AT NIGHT THY ACTIONS OF THE DAY WITH GRACE THAT DOWN IN PEACE THY HEAD MAY LAY
YESTERDAY IS PAST TOMORROWS NONE OF THINE TODAY THY LIFES DUE IS TO WORSHIP THE DIVINE
YE SAINTS ON EARTH ASCRIBE WITH HEAVENS HIGH HOST GLORY AND HONOUR TO THE ONE IN THREE TO GOD THE FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST AS WAS AND IS AND EVERMORE WILL BE
ZEALOUSLY PRACTICE WHAT IS GOOD AND THEN GREAT WILL BE THY REWARD IN BLESSINGS
AMEN

LORD GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES BUT FED ME WITH FOOD CONVENIENT FOR ME
ANN SMITH MY TEACHER
ANNO DOMINI 1742

Additional information

Kit Type

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