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#6383
 Miniature Sampler

11 1/4" x 8".  16 " x 12 1/2" including a modern frame.   This extremely unusual miniature sampler is very charming and quite lovely.  Although the center of the sampler is filled with a series of initials, (either that or a series of letters that do not have an obvious meaning), our stitcher did not sign her name to the piece.          

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She started her sampler with three compartment- alized alphabets across the top.   She followed that with an assortment of spot motifs including a crown, an altar, a church, and several small animals includ- ing a very unusual bird.   But, the true beauty of this sampler is in the wonderful surrounding floral border.  It surrounds the motifs as well as the cartouche in the center, giving the entire sampler a light, airy appearance.  The sampler is dated 1810 in the center of the altar.                                                                                                                                                 

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                                                                                                                                            Sadly, there are some problems to the condition of this sweet sampler.    There are several holes in the ground fabric.   The worst of these is, of course, in the center of the piece.   If you click on the enlarged pictures, the holes are visible.   But, there are no losses to the silk (other than in the center) and the colors are still vibrant.  There is no staining.  The sampler has been mounted on acid free board.                                                                                                                                       $1265.00

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#6263
 Mary Ann Stark Sampler

12 1/2" x 12 1/2". 15 3/4" x 15 3/4" including probably the original frame.  Mary Ann's lovely silkwork sampler is a mourning sampler for her brother, Charles.  She stitched a beautiful floral border surrounding florals, trees, birds, cherubs and a very poignant verse.   The center of the sampler also has a very lovely basket of flowers.  She signed her sampler " Mary ann Stark 1848".

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The verse reads:                                                       " The Death of a Brother                                       Charles is gone dear youth how                             Suddent was the stroke he received                       When coming home from work                             Short was the time he had in this world to stay      For God who gave can surely take away".               

    

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The condition of Mary ann's sampler is good although there are some holes.   They are mostly in the border area with the only really noticable one being above the small heart near the right border. There are two or three others but they are not obvious. The color of the silks are still vibrant and there is only one stain in the top left corner.                                                                      $1150.00

                                                                         #6753                                                                                              Eliz. Maria Puddlecombe Sampler
                                                        

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17" x 19 1/2".   22 1/2" x 24 1/2 " including the original frame.   The florals in Elizabeth's beautiful sampler are absolutely won- derful!  They are very elaborate and filled with lots of color and many different stitches.   The top center floral is especially gor- geous.   I have never seen anything quite like it.   There is an amazing amount of texture in this lovely sampler.  Interestingly, Elizabeth actually abbreviated her first name on the sampler.  I don't think I have ever seen that before.  She signed her sam- pler,  "Eliz. Maria Puddlecombe  1838".   There are florals of all types, birds, deer, baskets of fruit, stars, trees, a verse and a floral border.        

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                                   Elizabeth's verse reads:

1. It is Religion that can give Sweetest pleasure while we live.  Religion only can supply Solid comfort when we die.  2. After death its joys shall be Lasting as eternity.   If the Saviour be my friend Then my bliss will never end.
3.   Short is our longest day of life  And soon its prospect end. Yet on that day uncertain date Eternity depends.
4.   Grant in me thy humble mind Patient pitiful and kind
Meek and lowly let me be Full of goodness full of thee."                                                                                                                                        

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There is a bit of damage to Elizabeth's beautiful sampler.   To the left and underneath verse #4, the sampler had been cut, probably by broken glass at some time.   In order to stablize the area, I attached the sampler to another piece of linen using invisable quilting thread.   There is also a hole and a dark spot just under the center floral and some damage along the bottom of the sampler as well as an overall darkening to the fabric.  But, as the pictures show, it is still a lovely piece.                                                                                           $1675.00

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#5591
Mary Ann Chaille Sampler

12 1/2" x 13". 15" x 15 1/2" including a black frame. It is dated January 25, 1820. This is a lovely piece in excellent condition. There is no thread loss, and no holes , and only a small stain in each

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of the two left corners. Some of the stitches are positively tiny. The last alphabet and the verse are stitched over one thread instead of the more usual two threads. The colors are a rich honey gold, two different shades of green, cream, black and a touch of pink. The verse reads: "Hymn Since Jesus loves to hear

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his praise Arise from infant tongues Let us not waste our youthful days In vain and idle songs. We can't too early serve the Lord Nor love his name too dear Nor price too much his precious word Nor learn too soon his fear. The pleasures that his children find Exceed the sinner's mirth Are food for the immortal mind And suit our humble birth." $1285.00

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#5470

Pheby Searson Sampler - 12" X 17". 17 1/2" X 22" including new frame. This sweet verse and motif sampler is dated 1805. While there is some thread loss in the verse area, it is still mostly legible. It reads "Hard lot of mine my

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days are cast among the sons of strife whose never ceasing sprawling waste my golden words of life. Peace is the blessing that I seek. How lovely are its charms. I am for peace but when I speak they all declare for arms."  This verse probably refers

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to the battle of Trafalgar which occured Oct. 21, 1805.  The verse is surrounded by a lovely series of motifs and a strawberry border.  In addition to the thread loss, there are three holes located in the left border near the top, under the first word of the verse and the bottom left near the fruit basket. It has been conservation mounted and framed. $985.00