Antique Victorian (1846) Silk Verse & Motif Needlework Sampler By Hester Worlington Aged 10
A better price may be available. Please enquire below.
Dated July 29 1846 Hester has stitched this fine needlework sampler on linen. Condition is exceptional, with amazingly vibrant colours & no ground loss. The band lettering (neatly enclosed by linear & geometrical borders), perfectly symmetrical floral, dog & bird motifs & verse - are very skilfully executed & surrounded by a regimented linear border. Original period maple veneer frame
Additional Comments
Judging by the fine predominantly gold, green, brown & navy silk thread used by Hester - plus the exquisite quality of her work – it seems likely that she was from a relatively wealthy background. There is some barely discernible loss of thread to the ‘W’ & ‘17’ of the top bands. The composition of this piece comprising upper & lower case lettering, paired motifs & religious verse is very representative of the period. Hester’s choice of verse is from ‘Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways’ (verses 1 and 4) by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will
Make me to walk in Thy commands
'Tis a delightful road
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God
The immensely characterful timeworn 19th century frame (plus gilt slip & hanging eyes) - itself a super antique - appears to be original to the piece whilst the glass seems later. In our view, the quality & excellent, virtually undamaged condition of this beautiful sampler - in addition to the fact that it was completed over 175 years ago by a girl of just 10 years old - make it a very desirable example of this genre of sampler.
Conservation & Restoration
We have prepared Hester's stunning sampler for sale by taking it from its delicate frame & removing the surface dust from it using a conservation vacuum cleaner. It has then been stitched onto complementary fresh linen which rests on cotton wadding glued to an acid free mount. After stabilising some of the frame’s veneer & some joints, all components of the period maple frame have been thoroughly cleaned & waxed. Finally, the sampler has been re-presented in its frame behind a piece of recycled pine backing secured by stainless steel panel pins & sealed with self-adhesive picture framing tape. The piece is ready to hang using a new (doubled) picture string attached to the frame’s original period eyes.
Framed Dimensions (W, H & D): 37x42x3cm
Ref: S1622
A better price may be available. Please enquire below.
Dated July 29 1846 Hester has stitched this fine needlework sampler on linen. Condition is exceptional, with amazingly vibrant colours & no ground loss. The band lettering (neatly enclosed by linear & geometrical borders), perfectly symmetrical floral, dog & bird motifs & verse - are very skilfully executed & surrounded by a regimented linear border. Original period maple veneer frame
Additional Comments
Judging by the fine predominantly gold, green, brown & navy silk thread used by Hester - plus the exquisite quality of her work – it seems likely that she was from a relatively wealthy background. There is some barely discernible loss of thread to the ‘W’ & ‘17’ of the top bands. The composition of this piece comprising upper & lower case lettering, paired motifs & religious verse is very representative of the period. Hester’s choice of verse is from ‘Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways’ (verses 1 and 4) by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will
Make me to walk in Thy commands
'Tis a delightful road
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God
The immensely characterful timeworn 19th century frame (plus gilt slip & hanging eyes) - itself a super antique - appears to be original to the piece whilst the glass seems later. In our view, the quality & excellent, virtually undamaged condition of this beautiful sampler - in addition to the fact that it was completed over 175 years ago by a girl of just 10 years old - make it a very desirable example of this genre of sampler.
Conservation & Restoration
We have prepared Hester's stunning sampler for sale by taking it from its delicate frame & removing the surface dust from it using a conservation vacuum cleaner. It has then been stitched onto complementary fresh linen which rests on cotton wadding glued to an acid free mount. After stabilising some of the frame’s veneer & some joints, all components of the period maple frame have been thoroughly cleaned & waxed. Finally, the sampler has been re-presented in its frame behind a piece of recycled pine backing secured by stainless steel panel pins & sealed with self-adhesive picture framing tape. The piece is ready to hang using a new (doubled) picture string attached to the frame’s original period eyes.
Framed Dimensions (W, H & D): 37x42x3cm
Ref: S1622
A better price may be available. Please enquire below.
Dated July 29 1846 Hester has stitched this fine needlework sampler on linen. Condition is exceptional, with amazingly vibrant colours & no ground loss. The band lettering (neatly enclosed by linear & geometrical borders), perfectly symmetrical floral, dog & bird motifs & verse - are very skilfully executed & surrounded by a regimented linear border. Original period maple veneer frame
Additional Comments
Judging by the fine predominantly gold, green, brown & navy silk thread used by Hester - plus the exquisite quality of her work – it seems likely that she was from a relatively wealthy background. There is some barely discernible loss of thread to the ‘W’ & ‘17’ of the top bands. The composition of this piece comprising upper & lower case lettering, paired motifs & religious verse is very representative of the period. Hester’s choice of verse is from ‘Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways’ (verses 1 and 4) by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep His statutes still
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do His will
Make me to walk in Thy commands
'Tis a delightful road
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God
The immensely characterful timeworn 19th century frame (plus gilt slip & hanging eyes) - itself a super antique - appears to be original to the piece whilst the glass seems later. In our view, the quality & excellent, virtually undamaged condition of this beautiful sampler - in addition to the fact that it was completed over 175 years ago by a girl of just 10 years old - make it a very desirable example of this genre of sampler.
Conservation & Restoration
We have prepared Hester's stunning sampler for sale by taking it from its delicate frame & removing the surface dust from it using a conservation vacuum cleaner. It has then been stitched onto complementary fresh linen which rests on cotton wadding glued to an acid free mount. After stabilising some of the frame’s veneer & some joints, all components of the period maple frame have been thoroughly cleaned & waxed. Finally, the sampler has been re-presented in its frame behind a piece of recycled pine backing secured by stainless steel panel pins & sealed with self-adhesive picture framing tape. The piece is ready to hang using a new (doubled) picture string attached to the frame’s original period eyes.
Framed Dimensions (W, H & D): 37x42x3cm
Ref: S1622