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Thursday 28 April 2011

Fine International Samplers in UK Auctions * And More (Of Course!)


This fabulous 18th century Spanish sampler is for auction at The Salisbury Auction Centre at their sales on 11 and 12 May. It is Lot 1767 and comes with an estimate of just £100-£125! Worked on unbleached linen, this typical, multi-directional silk embroidered design is worked in a variety of stitches in pastel colours, spot motifs include birds, deer, flowers, fountains and boats. The sales catalogue says the inscription is woven, but it is more likely to be pattern-darned - it reads: Soy Maria Mesonero ave lo hize en casa de Manvella Alonso Calle de Pelatores…1771 (I am Maria Mesonero and I made it in the home of Manuella Alonso, Pelatores Street, in the year 1771). It measures 24in x 22in (61cm x 58cm) and is mounted on fine unbleached linen and has some insect damage and stains. If that weren't enough, it comes with a Victorian cross stitch sampler, in blue red and mauve on unbleached linen, woven inscription: Eleanor Cooper aged/ 11 yrs/ Fair Oak School/ June 25th 1878. 7¾ in. x 7½in. 20cm. x 19cm. Minor colour run in places. To bid or for more details click here.


In the same Salisbury sale is this next Spanish sampler, lot 1768, embroidered in silk on linen ground. It is a later sampler and has the inscription: Me I zo Margarita Oster Discipvla de Nicolasa Montes Viva Jesus Maria Josef Ano de Milo Ochocientos once (Made by Margarita Oster disciple [or pupil?] of Nicolasa Montes Long Live Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Eleven. It measures 26in. 66cm. sq. The estimate is: £350 - £450. To bid or for more details click here.


Meanwhile at Gorringes sale also on 11 and 12 May is this 1784 Dutch sampler stitched by Maria Cornelia Van de Bilde, dated 1784, worked with the initials S.M. below a crown with a lion, deer, house, pagoda and various figures and animals, in a later maple frame. It measures 18.5 x 18.25ins and is Lot 202 with an estimate of £200 - £300. For more details click here.


I love these needlework books and this seems in nice condition. Also in the the Gorringes 11-12 May sale. It is lot 197 with an estimate of £100 - £150. Simple directions in needlework and cutting out, it contains thirty seven hand worked specimens including two samplers, one dated 1859. The title page is annotated in ink, Derby Training College January 7th 1860, printed Dublin, Alex Thom & Sons 1858, binding defective. For more details click here.


Looking ahead, Matthew Barton Ltd have this very pretty King George IV sampler worked by Mary Ann Clark in 1829 when aged 11. Above is a representation of the ‘Temple of Fame’ and below a biblical text, all flanked by vases of flowers, trees and exotic birds and surrounded by further foliage and figures, outer scrolling floral border. It measures 20in x 17in (49 x 41cm). It is Lot 27 with an estimate of £350 - £450. For more details click here.


Bonhams have this wonderful miniature for sale on 25 May. It is lot 1. Not a sampler, not an embroidered piece but......


just take a look at that lovely enamelled cover, will you? Here we have the conjunction of a Cavalier young gentleman and a decoration of spot motifs right out of a Stuart embroidered panel. Fabulous. Bonhams describe it as follows: David des Granges (London circa 1611-1671) A Gentleman, wearing cream doublet slashed at the sleeve to reveal white lace chemise, lawn collar with lace trim, red sash embroidered with blue and gold thread, his brown hair worn loose. Watercolour on vellum, contemporary gold and enamel locket frame, Manner of Jean Toutin the younger (French, 1619-1660), the sides enamelled with flora and fauna, the lid enamelled with a peasant man seated in a riverscape, resting against a tree and playing bagpipes, the inside of the lid enamelled with flora and fauna. The later applied gilt reverse engraved King Charles II/ to/ George Ashby/ of/ Quenby & Naseby/ and then to/ his Great Grandchild/ Ann Norton/ who married Thomas Pares/ from whom to her/ Great Great Grandchild/ Guy Paget of Sulby. The plaque to the reverse of the locket must have been applied post 1912, when Guy Paget purchased Sulby Hall. George Ashby (1656–1728) was the son of George Ashby of Quenby and Mary Shuckburgh of Naseby. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining his MA in 1675. He married in November 1681 Hannah Waring. Ashby was a Whig politician, sitting at various periods from 1695 to 1708. His funerary monument describes him as 'honest George Ashby the Planter' on account of his arboreal interests at Quenby, where he successfully cultivated a rare genus of cedar tree from the Lebanon. Ashby was appointed High Sheriff of Leicester by Charles II's brother James, in around 1688-9. The High Sheriff was traditionally the King's man and representative for the county. He customarily received a personal gift in addition to the title, for services rendered to the King.
Oval, 36mm (1 7/16in) high This is a very significant historical piece reflected in the estimate of £3,500 - £4,500. Click here for more details.

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