Needlework Treasures at Bonhams * Various Sales * January 2010

Auction houses tend to go quiet at this time of year which is not surprising since everyone is busy with the holidays. However, Bonhams have a few treasures coming up in the January sales. This decorative Charles II beadwork panel, Lot 227, measuring 21 x 26cm (approx 10"x12") is remarkable in spite of its condition for having a backing cloth that is initialled MH and dated 1671. These repeating bands of stylized flowers are worked with such beautifully coloured beads. I think this item was more probably a decorative mat or cover, rather than a sampler. For auction on 11 January.

This sampler, Lot 1021, is for auction on 13 January and is notable for its rousing Vive L'Empereur which you can see in the close-up detail. The sampler was worked by 11 year old Mary Eliz'th Gore in 1866.

On 20 January this Scottish sampler of 1774 together with the extra items you see will be auctioned. Together they comprise Lot 204. This is a very fetching, bold graphic sampler and would benefit enormously from reframing in a more sympathetic frame. Just click here to see the other textile items for auction.