Antique 19th Century Needlepoint Sampler Signed Annie Ridley, Age 13: “Flee From Evil, Rest in the Lord”

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Description

A poignant and beautifully preserved 19th-century needlepoint sampler circa 1840-1860, hand-stitched by a young girl named Annie Ridley, age 13. … Read more A poignant and beautifully preserved 19th-century needlepoint sampler circa 1840-1860, hand-stitched by a young girl named Annie Ridley, age 13. This exceptional piece reflects the tradition of moral instruction through needlework, a hallmark of female education in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The central verse urges the viewer toward wisdom, virtue, and humility:
“To Wisdom’s sacred voice attend. She points to realms above…”
Vibrant floral motifs, stylized baskets, and symbolic animals—including a central heart pierced with an arrow and a stag resting beneath trees—imbue the piece with both spiritual and folkloric charm.

Though undated, this sampler likely originates from 19th-century England, where such moral verse and symmetrical botanical motifs were hallmarks of girls’ domestic needlework. The work is signed “Annie Ridley, Age 13,” offering a personal connection to its young maker.

Tastefully framed in a modern maple frame with gilt inset (likely not original), the sampler remains in fine antique condition, with expected age toning and wear to the linen ground that only adds to its authenticity.

Why we love it:
A window into the domestic and devotional world of a 19th-century girl, this sampler is both decorative and deeply human—an heirloom of moral instruction, stitched by hand and heart. See less