LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY HOUSE SAMPLER BY MARGARET & JEAN BOWIE? - C. 1800
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:29517 |
Late 18th/early 19th century linen and silk work sampler, probably Scottish. I have put the names of both Jean and Margaret Bowie in the title as both are on the sampler - Jean's is below the verse plaque and Margaret's above the roof of the house. It is likely that both girls were sisters and this delightful sampler may well have been worked by them as a collaborative piece, possibly with the upper section worked by Jean and the lower by Margaret. Though undated, the style of stitch w...ork would indicate this piece dates to somewhere between 1790 and 1810. I want to begin by pointing out that there is a fair amount of stitch loss and thinning particularly in the upper section of the linen and the central plaque in the middle section which had originally contained a verse, now all but gone. That said, this sampler is truly stunning with very fine quality stitch work throughout. The upper section of the linen is stitched with an arcaded floral border with a deep border pattern of three carnation baskets beneath with a tree motif to the right which has a bird standing on either side. There is a central foliate edged plaque beneath containing the following short verse
The wondering world inquire to know Why I do love my saviour soBut if all the world my saviour know (knew)Shure all the world would love him to(o)
There is a 9 to the right of the last line of the verse and the linen to its left appears to have once had stitching on it - possibly the first three digits of a date. The plaque has a flower basket and flowers to its right with four sets of family initials beneath, a crown above each, whilst the left side has the scant remains of a Tree of Knowledge where one is able to see the outlines of Adam and Eve and the serpent. There is a thistle to the left of the tree with the words - I have power to defend thyself and others - worked around it and a row of three further crowned sets of family initials beneath. The middle section of the linen is stitched with a central panel which contains the vestigial stitch work of the following verse, fortunately a popular one as it has enabled me to decipher it
Jesus permit thy gracious name to standAs the first efforts of an infants handAnd while her fingers on this canvas moveEngage her tender heart to seek thy loveWith thy dear children let her have a partAnd write thy name thyself upon her heart
There is a floral motif on each side of the panel which is then surrounded by a meandering floral framework. The framework has two floral motifs and an open tailed peacock to the left and two floral motifs to the right, the bottom floral motif with a bird standing on top. The lower section of the linen is stitched with a delightful two storey country house with Margaret's name above and a garden to the front enclosed by a pillared wall which has a floral swag across the entrance. The garden has a tree and diamond motif on each side with a small figure standing with her dog by the right side tree. Both trees have a squirrel and lion standing beneath their foliage then the whole piece is surrounded by a meandering floral border.The linen has overall, fairly dark discolouration consistent with its age, slightly darker in places with some undulation. There is a small area of damage in the lower left corner, a couple of smaller areas along the top edge and some very small areas elsewhere.There is also the damage by the 9 mentioned earlier and a similar area to the side of Margaret's name. This was possibly her age when she finished the sampler which was subsequently removed by Margaret at a later date so as not to reveal her age. The sampler is behind glass so I'm not able to see the reverse, but the colours of the silks appear good though they are likely to have mellowed to some extent over the years. There is also the stitch loss and thinning mentioned earlier which has left the linen beneath paler. The sampler is contained within a later, mid 19th century rosewood frame with gilt slip. Both are in good condition with some scratches and scuff marks commensurate with their age.Measures 13" x 17" (sight size) and 19" 23 1/4" including the frame.
PLEASE NOTE - ANY MARKS ETC ON THE PHOTOS WHICH I'VE NOT ALREADY MENTIONED ARE FROM THE GLARE AND REFLECTION OF THE GLASS AND NOT ON THE SAMPLER ITSELF.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK. ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OTHER SAMPLERS I'M SELLING. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES.PLEASE NOTE - THIS ITEM IS LOCATED IS LOCATED IN THE UK BUT CAN BE SHIPPED TO THE LOCATIONS TICKED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SECTION.
SHIPPING WILL BE VIA FEDEX - FULLY TRACKED DELIVERY TO THE USA WITHIN FOUR WORKING DAYS.
The wondering world inquire to know Why I do love my saviour soBut if all the world my saviour know (knew)Shure all the world would love him to(o)
There is a 9 to the right of the last line of the verse and the linen to its left appears to have once had stitching on it - possibly the first three digits of a date. The plaque has a flower basket and flowers to its right with four sets of family initials beneath, a crown above each, whilst the left side has the scant remains of a Tree of Knowledge where one is able to see the outlines of Adam and Eve and the serpent. There is a thistle to the left of the tree with the words - I have power to defend thyself and others - worked around it and a row of three further crowned sets of family initials beneath. The middle section of the linen is stitched with a central panel which contains the vestigial stitch work of the following verse, fortunately a popular one as it has enabled me to decipher it
Jesus permit thy gracious name to standAs the first efforts of an infants handAnd while her fingers on this canvas moveEngage her tender heart to seek thy loveWith thy dear children let her have a partAnd write thy name thyself upon her heart
There is a floral motif on each side of the panel which is then surrounded by a meandering floral framework. The framework has two floral motifs and an open tailed peacock to the left and two floral motifs to the right, the bottom floral motif with a bird standing on top. The lower section of the linen is stitched with a delightful two storey country house with Margaret's name above and a garden to the front enclosed by a pillared wall which has a floral swag across the entrance. The garden has a tree and diamond motif on each side with a small figure standing with her dog by the right side tree. Both trees have a squirrel and lion standing beneath their foliage then the whole piece is surrounded by a meandering floral border.The linen has overall, fairly dark discolouration consistent with its age, slightly darker in places with some undulation. There is a small area of damage in the lower left corner, a couple of smaller areas along the top edge and some very small areas elsewhere.There is also the damage by the 9 mentioned earlier and a similar area to the side of Margaret's name. This was possibly her age when she finished the sampler which was subsequently removed by Margaret at a later date so as not to reveal her age. The sampler is behind glass so I'm not able to see the reverse, but the colours of the silks appear good though they are likely to have mellowed to some extent over the years. There is also the stitch loss and thinning mentioned earlier which has left the linen beneath paler. The sampler is contained within a later, mid 19th century rosewood frame with gilt slip. Both are in good condition with some scratches and scuff marks commensurate with their age.Measures 13" x 17" (sight size) and 19" 23 1/4" including the frame.
PLEASE NOTE - ANY MARKS ETC ON THE PHOTOS WHICH I'VE NOT ALREADY MENTIONED ARE FROM THE GLARE AND REFLECTION OF THE GLASS AND NOT ON THE SAMPLER ITSELF.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK. ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OTHER SAMPLERS I'M SELLING. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES.PLEASE NOTE - THIS ITEM IS LOCATED IS LOCATED IN THE UK BUT CAN BE SHIPPED TO THE LOCATIONS TICKED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SECTION.
SHIPPING WILL BE VIA FEDEX - FULLY TRACKED DELIVERY TO THE USA WITHIN FOUR WORKING DAYS.
