Pair Scottish House Samplers, by the Sharp Sisters

George III, dated 1813 & 1816. 17.5ins by 13ins wide. Pair sister samplers by Christian Susan Sharp and Elisabeth Forbes Sharp. Framed in old 'molded composition over wood' frames with rippled, old glass.

Tacked to board with wood and brown paper backing.

The samplers are worked in silk and fine wool on linen ground, in a variety of stitches.

Meandering borders. Colours greens, cream, blue, light brown, white, red and black.

Family initials.

Christian's verse entitled, 'On Virtue' reads,

'Virtue is the chiefest beauty of the mind.

The noblest ornament of human kind.

Virtue is our safe guard and our guiding star.

It stirs up reason when our senses err.'.

Elisabeth's verse entitled, 'On Time' reads,

'Catch O! Catch

the transient hour. Improve

each moment as it flies.

Life's a short summer-man a

flower, He dies-alas! How soon

he dies!'.

Signed and dated 'Christian Susan Sharp New Pitsligo. Novr. 3d. 1813' and 'Elisabeth Forbes Sharp New Pitsligo. May 11th. 1816'. (New Pitsligo is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.)

Both have a wonderful set of motifs, some finely embroidered, including a house with a garden, trees and flowers.

CONDITION: Good. Elisabeth: Two holes.

Very minor stitch loss to the borders, motifs, and signature.

Both: Some patchy stains to both.

Colours are mostly good and strong with no noticeable fading. No colour run. Unevenly stretched.

 

Frame showing slight wear, otherwise sound.

 

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