Antique Early 19th Century Schoolgirl Needlework Sampler – Dated 180x

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Description

A rare and beautiful antique textile sampler wrought by a schoolgirl in the Early 19th Century (Circa 1800-1810). This meticulously … Read more A rare and beautiful antique textile sampler wrought by a schoolgirl in the Early 19th Century (Circa 1800-1810). This meticulously hand-stitched piece offers a charming window into the historical education of young women and the popular decorative motifs of the Georgian/Federal Era. Framed and ready for display, it is a quintessential piece of Folk Art and a prized collectible textile.
This sampler is a classic example of its era, featuring a distinctive and detailed pictorial scene executed primarily in cross-stitch and possibly other stitches like tent stitch on a linen ground.
The central floral wreath, a popular motif of the time, encircles the stitched text. We can clearly identify the year 180X (likely 1803, 1806, or 1808 based on common early 19th-century samplers). The partially legible name above the date appears to be CLOE or CHLOE (as in CLO A E R E O). Samplers by named, dated makers command premium interest.
The design is rich with traditional schoolgirl needlework imagery, including:
A stately, classical house or chapel with a fenced garden and cypress trees, symbolizing a secure and well-ordered life.
Mirror-image figures, possibly representing a couple or allegorical figures of Faith, Hope, or Charity.
A charming scene of deer and trees (a pastoral element).
Various spot motifs such as birds, flowers in vases, a basket of flowers, a rabbit, and a goose/duck—all carrying symbolic meaning.

The top border includes a full or partial stitched alphabet (A-Z) and numerals (1-16), demonstrating the maker's proficiency in "marking" textiles, a key skill taught to girls.

Materials: Silk or fine wool threads on a linen or fine wool ground fabric. The colors are muted, a soft palette of sage green, faded blues, browns, and pale reds, common for this age.

Condition: Excellent antique/primitive condition considering its age of over 200 years. The fabric shows natural, authentic signs of age, including:

Authentic Patina: Overall discoloration, yellowing, and fading, which collectors highly value as evidence of genuine age.

Minor Imperfections: Some darkening/browning visible, particularly around the central wreath (see detailed photo), which is normal for early linens and adds to its character.

Presented in a period-appropriate gilt/gold-tone wooden frame with minimal scratching, ready to hang.

This heirloom quality textile is a magnificent display piece for any collector of antique needlework, Americana, English decorative arts, or historical folk textiles. See less