Antique George III Pictorial Friendship Sampler, 1798

Details

Description

Fine george iii pictorial friendship sampler dated 1798 a charming and particularly decorative george iii pictorial needlework sampler, finely dated … Read more Fine george iii pictorial friendship sampler dated 1798 a charming and particularly decorative george iii pictorial needlework sampler, finely dated 1798, worked in coloured silks upon a linen ground. The remarkably detailed composition centres upon a substantial country house flanked by deer, trees and flowering urns, with the surrounding field densely worked with birds, butterflies, flowers, peacocks, animals, baskets and flowering trees. The lower register forms a delightful pastoral landscape populated by female figures, sheep, deer and a small dog, centred upon a delicate garden pavilion. The centre bears a finely stitched verse devoted to the virtues of true friendship, beginning “tell me, ye knowing and discerning few, / where i may find a friend who’s firm and true…” and continuing with sentiments of loyalty, sympathy, prudence and faithfulness. The combination of architecture, animals, elaborate floral motifs and moral verse is wonderfully characteristic of accomplished late 18th-century english sampler work. Finely dated 1798, the sampler retains a beautifully muted palette of soft pinks, greens, blues and ochres, mellowed naturally over more than two centuries. Presented behind glass within a handsome figured bird’s-eye maple frame with gilt slip. Condition wise the piece is lightly distressed as you would expect from a 228 year old piece, the fact that it remains is a marvel, that said, compared to many samplers of seen of this period, this is in very good form dimensions height: 55cm width: 44cm depth: 1.5cm See less