Katie Sym 1769

Description

This is a very finely stitched classic Scottish sampler featuring three complete rows of beautifully illuminated letters, an arcaded floral band as well as other traditional motifs including peacocks, birds drinking at the fountain of life, feather trees and family initials. A four sided berry border encloses six rows of alphabets executed in a variety of stitches. The lower third features the maker’s name and the date within a leafy cartouche. We have seen at least four other similar samplers (one of them being Jean Scrimgeowr also available from The Scarlet Letter) suggesting the influence of a particular teacher. Stitches used in the sampler are cross, eyelet, double running, long arm cross, petit point and queen. On 40 count linen the finished reproduction will measure approximately 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″, closest in size to the original which was stitched on an extremely fine woolen tammy cloth. The sampler is recommended for intermediate level needle workers.

View the original antique sampler here