Object Description
Antique Scottish Sampler, 1793, by Anne Williamson. The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, in a variety of stitches. Intricately detailed meandering strawberry border. Colours red, green, blue, gold, bronze and pink. Alphabets A-V in upper case twice, completely covered in curlicues. Inscription reads, ‘MANY DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE VIRTUOUSLY BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL. FAVOUR IS DECEITFUL AND BEAUTY IS VAIN BUT A WOMAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD SHE SHALL BE PRAISED.’ Also, there is an inscription under the house which reads, ‘A VIEW OF THE CELEBRATED MR POPS HOUSE AT TWICKENHAM’. I believe the Mr Pops reference is for Pope’s villa, the residence of Alexander Pope at Twickenham, who moved there in 1719. Signed and dated ‘ANNE. WILLIAMSON SEWED THIS SAMPLER 1793.’. Many intitials throughout, including AW, MW, IW, RW, WW. A good set of motifs, including a house, dogs, birds, flowers, potted flowering plants, rabbits, fir trees, hearts, crowns and peacocks. Framed in an old, antique wood frame with rippled, old glass. Mounting: The sampler is tacked to a wood stretcher frame. Frame backed with card and sealed with tape.. Dimensions exclude the frame and slip.