Free Giveaway Draw Winner - Cluny Tapestry Patterns

And the winner of this week's draw is Karen from Tennessee. 

Desperately Seeking * Do You Know Where This Sampler Is?

Margriet Hogue is researching Dutch Orphanage samplers and would be grateful to anyone who can help her locate the sampler seen above. Please email me or leave a comment if you have any helpful information and I'll make sure it is passed on to Margriet.

Whole World & Holland Samplers For Auction

It is a rare occasion to see late 18th century silk embroidered map of the world, the ones depicting two faces of the globe so I thought you might like to see this one titled The World with all the Modern Discoveries. It is set within a colour silk embroidered border of ribbons and flowers, and measures 62cm x 46cm, framed. Its estimate is £50 - £100 and is Lot 623 for auction at Bleasdales Ltd on 24 July 2013. Click here for more details.

Bleasedales Ltd have a number of embroidered maps of England for sale also, this one is late 18th century/early 19th century, titled Map of England and Wales, M. Holbrook and shows counties delineated and named with surrounding seas, within a floral outer border. It measures 51cm x 44cm, in an oval gilt frame and has an estimate of £200 - £300. Click here for more details.

I was quite taken by this early 18th century band sampler with atypical designs which seems to have been worked by Mary? Holland in 1744 with an inscription: But those that worship God and give their parents honour due here on the earth thy love shall have and live hereafter too. It measures 44 x 20cm and has an estimate of £100 - £150. It is Lot 418 for auction on 16 July at Holloways Auctioneers. Click here for more detail.

Mary Queen Of Scots * National Museum Of Scotland, Edinburgh * Until 17 November 2013

I love the marvellous depiction of lace and embroidery that was accomplished by early stone carvers and spend quite a bit of free time examining tombs for examples. This one of Mary Queen of Scots is so beautifully made and this summer you can enjoy it too as National Museums Scotland presents a major exhibition on the life of Mary Stewart (1542-87), Queen of Scots. The exhibition traces Mary’s story through the dynastic alliances at the heart of Renaissance Europe, following her life from birth in Scotland, childhood in France, to ruling both France and Scotland as Queen, her imprisonment in England and eventual execution. Mary’s legacy is also considered: through her son, King James VI and I, she is the direct ancestor of the present royal family. Showing only in Edinburgh, the exhibition explores the myth and reality that surround one of the most enigmatic and romanticised figures in Scottish history through a unique gathering of paintings, jewellery, textiles, furniture, drawings, maps and documents.

Significant loans from major public collections in Scotland, England and France and from private collections build on the Scottish history collections of National Museums Scotland to create a rich and detailed picture of Mary, Queen of Scots. Visitors are able to view documentary evidence, from the earliest surviving letter written by Mary to the warrant for her execution signed by Elizabeth I, which is on display in Scotland for the first time since it was acquired by Lambeth Palace in 2007. Other key documents include examples of the “Casket letters”, which were used to incriminate her in the Darnley murder, and a letter with secret cipher, which were presented as proof of her association with the Babington plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and thus led eventually to her execution in 1587.

Some of the finest pieces of jewellery associated with Mary are also on show. She owned a spectacular collection of jewellery and a gold necklace and pendant locket, known collectively as the Penicuik jewels, are on display. These were said to have been given to one of her supporters during her captivity, jewels being useful gifts to bind supporters to the Crown.