Susan McPherson circa 1820

Description

This fantastic and unusual Scottish sampler features- of all things- a large elephant as the focus, bearing a huge basket of flowers. Exotic animals achieved great attention in the decorative arts of the British Isles during the nineteenth century, and the inspiration for brown Jumbo here might well have come from the English colonists in India and Africa. Little Susan also included a lovely pair of flying birds and butterflies, and two curiously chunky, stylized trees. The letters A through K in the alphabet are beautiful examples of classic Scottish illuminated lettering. Stitches used in the sampler include cross, back and eyelet.