Antique Scottish Sampler, c.1840, by Helen Smith

Object Description

Victorian Scottish Sampler, with a house and a thistle motif. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, in a variety of stitches. Meandering strawberry border. Colours green, dark brown, silver, brown and blue. A number of family initials towards the bottom. Signed, ‘HELEN SMITH AGED 14’. A good set of motifs, including a thistle with the words ‘GoD AnD our RIGht has Obtand It’ around the outside. Also, a house with a garden, lions, dogs, birds, stags, crowns, trees and fir trees. Framed in an old, possibly original, Hogarth frame with glass. Mounting: The sampler is loose mounted onto board. Frame backed with wood and sealed with tape. Dimensions exclude the frame and slip.

Object Condition

Generally Good. A couple of tiny holes. A few patchy stains along the bottom edge. And some darkening around the outside of the border generally. No stitch losses. Colours are all good and strong with no noticeable fading. No colour run. Neatly and evenly stretched. Frame showing slight wear, otherwise sound.

Object Details