It has been a long time coming but at last the farm is turning green, and yellow, and peacock blue and I have emerged from my log igloo. I have been in southern France for the past several weeks and the weather there was all over the page, as it has been here in Wisconsin. If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change. By the time I left, two days ago, the days were crystal clear (AVAS 1723, DMC 809 blue skies) and balmy, perfect weather for canoeing down the Dordogne River. As you can see from the photos, it's awfully nice here right now.
On the sampler front, I have three "new" antiques available for sale, all very exciting and unusual (see photos below). Take a peek at this detail of Mary Ann Drought, an Irish sampler, There will be another German Giant reproduction available toward the end of July.
Also in the works is a reproduction of an amazingly intense early German sampler dated 1734 with so many of the symbolic motifs that these samplers are known for: the fighting angels, Spies of Canaan, an enormous parrot, and that barely scratches the surface. I need to do more research on some of the motifs which I've never seen before but must be significant. It is very difficult to chart because of the condition of the sampler, and the intensity of the design.
The third reproduction sampler to look forward to is Eleanor Parr's, owned by Nicola Parkman. I have never seen a sampler with a border consisting of intertwined birds. It is really exceptional, and I thank Nicola for giving me permission to reproduce it. (photo at right)
The fourth is an original design and I can't reveal much about it except that it was originally inspired by the red and blue floating cherub heads on 12th and 13th century Umbrian paintings.
Happy Springtime to all!
Marsha
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