Antique Scottish Sampler, 1811, by Elisabeth Murray

George III, dated 1811. 15.75ins high, 12.5ins wide, 0.8ins deep. Antique Scottish House Sampler stitched by Elisabeth Murray in 1811.

The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, in a variety of stitches.

Meandering strawberry border.

Colours gold, cream, pale green, light brown, dark brown, gold, silver, black, pink, green and red.

Family initials IIM and BS.

Inscription reads, 'Behold How Rich And Beautiful Are/ The Works of Nature What A/ Bountiful Provision Is Made For Our/ Wants And Pleasures Surely The Author/ Of So Many Blessings Is Worthy Of Our/ Love And Gratidtude'.

Signed and dated, 'Elisabeth Murray Aged 11 Ellon 1811'. Placename Ellon (Gaelic: Eilean) is a town in Scotland, 16 miles north of Aberdeen, lying on the River Ythan.

A wonderful set of motifs, some finely embroidered, including 'Scottish' peacock with no less than nine tail feathers, dogs, birds, a small chapel?, flowers, potted flowering plants, fruit baskets, deer, trees, decorative diamond, heart with crown and initials, large house and garden, figures and swans on front lawn and ornate entrance gate and railings.

Framed in an old, possibly original, thick rosewood veneer frame with rippled, old glass. Mounting: The sampler is loose stitched to acid free card. Frame backed with wood and sealed with tape.

CONDITION: Generally Good. A few small holes, losses to the border.

Stitch losses to the roof of the house, the front lawn and the fence.

No stains. Colours are good and strong with no noticeable fading.

The silks bright and glossy. No colour run.

Stretching is slightly uneven, meaning the sampler does not lie completely flat. Most pronounced along the bottom.

Frame showing slight surface wear, otherwise sound.

Go to the Top of this page