Antique Scottish Sampler, c.1820, by Mary Souter

Object Description

Early 19th Century Scottish sampler by Mary Souter. The sampler is worked in wool and silk on a dark homespun linen ground, in cross stitch and Algerian eye. Greek key border. Colours red, yellow, dark brown, white, black, pink, green and blue. Alphabets A-Z in upper case and numbers 1-10. Initals all over the sampler, including ‘D.M.S, R.S.S, J.S, I.A.S, I.F, etc, etc.’. Signed ‘MARY SOUTER aged 8’. A wonderful house motif, with a lady and gentleman (Mary’s mother and father perhaps?) stood either side. Framed in an old wood frame with rippled, old glass. Mounting: The sampler is fixed to board. Frame backed with brown paper and sealed with tape.. Dimensions exclude the frame and slip.

Object Condition

Good. No holes. No stains. The ground is quite dark, but we believe this is the original colour of this Scottish homespun linen. Minor stitch losses to gent’s trousers. Colours are slightly faded, but still well defined. No colour run. Neatly and evenly stretched. Frame in good condition, ready to hang.

Object Details