Elizabeth Gooding 1790

Description

This is a beautiful sampler from Norwich (Norfolk, United Kingdom), possibly stitched at a school run by one Mrs. Wright or her descendent (hence the initials “MW” below Elizabeth’s name in the attribution). A list of teachers in Norwich in 1783 includes Wright, Massey, and Cheetleburgh. The Gooding name appears in Norwich history, most notoriously that of Thomas Gooding (d.1600) buried standing up in Norwich Cathedral so that he could spring up and be the first to enter heaven. The original sampler is in excellent condition with the beautiful color well preserved and reproduced. The classic Norfolk lozenges in the lower register are surrounded by eyelet stitches (more than a thousand). The three verses stitched on the sampler are traditional:

God prosper them that gave me this
And crown them with a heavenly bliss

Tell me yea knowing and Discerning few
Where I may find a Friend that’s firm and true
That dare stand by me when in deep Distress
And then their love, and friendship must Express

Lord grant me Wisdom to Direct my Ways
I ask not Riches nor yet Length of Days

Stitches used in the sampler are cross, petit point, four-sided, and eyelets over two and four threads of linen. On 35-count linen the finished reproduction sampler will measure approximately 14″x 16″. The original sampler measures 13 1/2″x 16 1/2″. The project is recommended for intermediate-level needleworkers.

The original Antique Sampler is available