1839 Sampler with 'What is truth?' verse, by Harriet Lee

Victorian, dated 1839. 16ins by 12ins wide. 1839 Sampler by Harriet Lee. Framed in an old wood frame with gilt slip and glass.

Mounted to conservator standards on acid free card with chipboard backing.

The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, in cross stitch throughout.

Meandering floral border.

Colours black, green, gold, pink, cream and red.

Verse entitled

'WHAT IS TRUTH?'

reads,

'A fadeless flower,

A tree, whose fruit has vital power:

A spring, whose waters sweetly roll:

A fire, which purifies the soul:

A mirror, without spot and bright:

A compass, always pointing right:

A balance, having no defect:

A sword, to punish and protect:

A rock, immoveably secure:

A way, which leads to joys most pure:

A gem, more worth than natures mines:

A glorious sun, nor say we more:

The triune God, whom we adore:

When every trace, of me is fled:

When cold this heart, and low his head:

When palsied, is the hand, that now,:

Does calmly work, those thoughts that flow:

Then when these lines, attract thine eye:

Say wilt thou pass, them lightly by:

Oh, let them a memorial be:

To gaze on_ and forget not me.'.

Signed and dated

'HARRIETT LEE Aged 7 years Janry 31st 1839'.

A good set of motifs, including birds,

trees, laden with fruit,

fruit baskets

and flowers.

CONDITION: Good.

One hole

and a few tack holes to extreme edges.

No stains other than uniform age darkening of the ground.

Minor stitch losses to the verse.

Colours are mostly good and strong with no noticeable fading.

No colour run.

Neatly and evenly stretched.

Frame in good condition, ready to hang.

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