Mary Hood 1768

Description

This English sampler retained its vibrant original color when I acquired it, having been conserved and de-accessioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the ground suffered many small holes, the needlework itself was still in brilliant condition. It features bold- original!- primary colors in its four sided floral border, verses, and scene with a lovely but asymmetrical brick house with dormer windows, flanked by trees. The verses are:

Oh may once more the happy Age appear
When words were Artless and the Soul sincere
When Gold and Grander were unenvy’d things
And Crowns less coveted than Groves and Springs

Fragrant the Rose is but it fades in time. The Violet
Sweet but quickly Past the Prime White Lilies hang their
Heads and soon decay And Whiter Snow in Minutes
Melts away Such and So With’ring Are our early Joys
Which Time or Sickness speedily destroy
Mary Hood Finished This Work October the 4 1768

Stitches used are cross over one and two threads of linen, and eyelet stitched over one and two threads of linen. On 35 count linen the finished sampler will measure approximately 14″ x 15-1/2″. It is recommended for the intermediate level.

View the original antique sampler here