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Circa 1830 Silkwork Sampler by Ann Bell

George IV, circa 1830. 18ins by 17.25ins wide. Circa 1830 Silkwork Sampler by Ann Bell. Unframed.

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

Meandering strawberry border.

Colours olive green, cream, green, navy blue, pale blue, black, pink, red, peach and gold.

Verse entitled 'ON HAPPINESS' reads

'OH HAPPINESS! Our bein send and aim!

Good Pleasure Ease Content! Whate'er thy name:

That something still which prompts the eternal sigh

For which we bear to live! Or dare to di'.

Signed

'ANN BELL HER WORK FINISH D IN THE 11th YEA of her age'.

Reads 'E. GIRTON GOVERNESS : NEWARK.'.

A good set of motifs, including potted flowering plants, birds,

a lion, hearts,

dog,

fir trees, strawberries,

crowns, fruit baskets

and stars.

Research: There was an Ann Bell born about 1816, and a Betsey Girton born about 1806 both residing in Newark, Nottinghamshire. If these are our two characters the sampler dates to 1827 which accords with its style and materials. Betsey, who we must assume liked ‘Elizabeth’ so much better that she signed her name E. Girton, was aged 21 when as Ann’s governess she supervised the stitching of this sampler. Young Ann, aged 11, adoring her governess so dearly insists Ms Girton’s name appears on her sampler as boldly as her own.

CONDITION: Generally good.

Two holes, and a few places where the ground is worn.

Some patchy stains.

Some stitch losses to the border, divider lines, verse, signature and motifs.

Colours very bright and well preserved with only slight fading.

Very slight colour run around the olive green threads.

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