Antique Norfolk Sampler, 1828, by E A Giscard Aged 12

George IV, dated 1828. 14.5ins high, 12.6ins wide, 1.4ins deep. Regency period Norfolk Sampler, 1828, by E A Giscard Aged 12.

The sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground, in cross stitch and Algerian eye.

Meandering strawberry and leaf border.

Colours green, red, light brown, dark brown, silver, black, gold and blue. Alphabets A-Z in upper case and numbers 1-16.

Inscription reads, 'Learn to live well that thou mayst die so too, To live and die is all we have to do.'.

Signed and dated 'E A Giscard Downham. 1828 Aged 12'.

Placename Downham refers to Downham Market, a town in Norfolk, England.

A horizontal band of elongated octagons along the bottom of the piece.

A scattering of motifs, including potted flowering plants,

flowers, fruit baskets,

fir trees and birds.

Framed in an old, burr maple frame with glass.

Mounting: The sampler is tacked to a wood stretcher frame. Frame backed with brown paper and sealed with tape.

CONDITION: Good. A few small holes, mostly backed to make them inconspicuous.

Very light patchy staining. No stitch losses.

Colours are all good and strong with no noticeable fading.

One tiny patch of colour run in the border.

Stretching is slightly uneven.

Frame has two strips of veneer missing, which have been replaced with coloured/textured card strips.

Otherwise, the frame only showing minor wear and is structurally sound.

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