Object Description
1817 Memorial Sampler by Eliza James. Stitched as a memorial to Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, who died following childbirth at the age of 21. Framed in an old wood frame with gilt slip and glass. Mounted to conservator standards on acid free card with chipboard backing. The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, in a variety of stitches. Meandering floral border. Colours brown, green, black, cream and gold. Verse reads, ‘VITAL Spark of hean’nly flame> Quit O quit this mortal frame> Trembling hoping ling’ring flying> Oh the pain the bliss of dying> Cease fond nature cease thy strife> And let me languish into life> Hark they whisper angels say> Sister spirt come away> What is this absorbs me quite> Steals my senses shut my sight> Drowns my spirits draws my breath>Tell me my soul can this be death’. Signed and dated, ‘Eliza James Completed this Work In the 14 Year of her Age’. A good set of motifs, including an urn with the inscription ‘PRS CHARLOTTE DIED NOV.6 1817, potted flowering plants and trees laden with fruit.