1725 Sampler by Elizabeth Lilly

George I, dated 1725. 11ins high by 8ins wide. 1725 Sampler by Elizabeth Lilly. Framed in an old wood frame with gilt slip and glass.

Loose mounted over paper with wood backing.

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

Zig zag border, and divider lines in various patterns.

Colours red, cream, pale blue, white, pink, green and yellow. Numbers 1-17 and family initials.

Verses read

'O THAT MINe EYe MIGHT CLOSeD Be TO

WHAT BeCOMeS Me NOT TO SEE

THAT DeAFNeSS MIGHT POSSeSS MINE

EAR TO WHAT CONCERNS Me NOT TO

THAT TRUTH MY TOnGUe MIGHT ALWAYS

TY FROM EveR SPeAkInG FOOLISHLY

THAT nO VAIN THOUGHT MIGHT EVER

ReST OR Be COnCeVeD In MY BREAST

THAT BY EACH WORD EACH DeeD LACK

THOUGHT GLORY MAY TO MY GOD Be BROVE

BUT WHAT ARE WISHeS LORD MINE

EYe On THEE IS FIXT TO THEE I CRY

O PURGE OUT ALL MY DROSS MY TIN

MAKe Me MORe WHITe THAn SNOW WITHIN

WASH LORD AnD PURIFIe MY HEART

AND MAKE IT CleAn IN EVeRY PART

AND When TIS CLeAn LORD keep IT TO

fOR THAT IS MORe THAN I CAN DO'

 

'THe TIME WILL COMe AND THAT ARE LONG THEN I SHALL SADLEY

SAY I WICH I HAD MORE LEARNING ??? ARE MINDED LES MY PLAY

THIS WORKED IN HAND MY FRIENDS MAY HAVE WHeN I AM DEAD

AND LAID IN GRAVe'.

Signed and dated

'ELIZABETH LILLY WORKED THIS IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD GOD 1725 IN THE TENTH YEAR OF HER AGE'.

A few motifs including hearts and crowns

CONDITION: Generally Good.

A few small holes.

A few patchy stains.

Some stitch losses to the divider lines, border and verses.

Colours are all good and strong with no noticeable fading. No colour run.

Stretching is slightly uneven.

Frame showing some wear, but is structurally sound and in our opinion could be hung 'as is'.

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