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1843 Silkwork Sampler by Mary Ann Blanchard

Victorian, dated 1843. 19.75ins by 17.25ins wide. Framed in an old, possibly original, wood and gilt frame with rippled, old glass.

Tacked to wood with paper backing behind the sampler.

Worked in silk on linen ground, in cross stitch throughout.

floral border.

Colours light blue, light brown, olive green, dark brown, gold, white, black, light green, and magenta.

Verse reads

'Tell me ye poor and Discerning few

Where I may find A Friend both firm And True

Who will stand by when in Deep Distress

And then his Love and Friendship most Express'.

Signed and dated

'Mary Ann Blanchard Her Work Septr 2 18 Aged 12 Years 43'.

Packed with finely embroidered motifs, including a house, trees,

Adam & Eve standing either side of the tree of life with a snake coiled around its trunk,

stars, crowns, hearts,

dogs, birds,

potted flowering plants,

fruit trees, stags,

windmills,

the spies of canaan,

two couples with a dog,

two figures each carrying pails over their shoulders,

fruit baskets, fir trees, diamonds, angels and flowers.

CONDITION: Good. One tiny hole.

A few dark stains around the edges.

No stitch losses.

Colours are all good and strong with no noticeable fading. The silks bright and glossy. No colour run.

Stretching is slightly uneven.

Frame in good condition, rubbing to the gilt slip.

Some loose specks caught behind the glass on the top right hand side.

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