18th Century Samplers

Ann Lock 1761

This flamboyantly worked sampler by Ann Lock worked in 1761 employs a wide variety of different stitch techniques, including cross, satin, queen, eyelet, chain, tent and running stitch. All are worked in brightly coloured silks on a linen ground. The bold depiction of the Angel, the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth the mother of St John, give a striking visual appeal to this sampler.

In this sampler it is just possible to see in places the existence of the original under drawing, showing the design was worked onto the ground fabric before it was worked. The existence of a second sampler clearly worked under the same instruction by Elizabeth Oxley.

Deborah Townsend. 1769. 'A HYMN from PSALM the 8th'

A finely worked sampler contained within a floral border and with a painstakingly worked long, religious text, embroidered with coloured silks on loosely woven wool tammy.

Such long texts illustrate the importance of female literacy evident in many mid 18th century samplers. Attitudes towards female education are reflected on samplers which were seen not only as a method of improving skill with a needle but of educating the young in the subjects of morality, religious instruction and literature.

Sarah Hayes 1799.

Rare 18th century orphanage sampler worked by Sarah Hayes, Hooks Mill, Bristol, 1799. The girls were admitted to the Orphanage aged between six and twelve years of age with the first three girls admitted to the institution on the 12th of January 1795. Worked in black on a fine linen ground.

German Sampler. DFF 1791.

A superb band sampler worked in brightly coloured silks with numerous images including a splendid image and depiction of Adam and Eve. In outstanding condition.

Ann Woolsey, 1721

Fine early 18th century band sampler stitched by Ann Woolsey in 1721. Worked in coloured silks on a plain linen ground this sampler incorporates a wide variety of different stitch techniques. The sampler retains fine original condition. The existence of a second almost identical sampler would indicate that this sampler was worked by Ann whilst at school, further research is underway to see if her teacher can be identified.

Mary Waller, 1732

Extremely rare eighteenth century family memorial sampler worked by Mary Waller in the 12th year of her age 1732. It is unusual for a child to embroider her sampler stating her religion quite so explicitly. Mary came from a large family recording the initials of twelve siblings on her sampler. Worked in coloured silks on a linen ground.

Rachel Reckless 1717

Early 18th century sampler by Rachel Reckless, aged 9, in 1717. Rachel has included the names of her siblings alongside an immaculately worked moral text. Rachel came from a prominent Quaker family living in Nottingham, her father was a descendent of John Reckless, a wealthy ironmonger and sheriff of Nottingham between 1649 - 1650. Records show that John Reckless was buried in 1679 in is own garden as there was no quaker burial ground in Nottingham, making his own garden the first Quaker burial ground in the city. A number of Rachel's relations emigrated from the North Midlands to America in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, including two uncles Samuel and Joseph Reckless who settled in Burlington County, New York.

Scottish Sampler, c. 1780

Small Scottish lettering sampler worked in coloured silks on a fine wool ground. This charming sampler retains very good original colour. Scottish circa 1780.

Hannah Newton, 1702

Although worked in the early years of the 18th century this sampler displays the shape and form of a seventeenth century band sampler. Worked in coloured silks on a linen ground in fine original condition.

Hannah Burnyeat. Early 18th century

Important early eighteenth century Quaker sampler worked by Hannah Burnyeat from Loweswater in Cumbria whilst attending a school in Dublin Ireland. Hannah's sampler is one of three extant examples now known to have been worked under Quaker instruction in Dublin. Hannah's family were amongst the earliest followers of George Fox, her grandfather's brother John Burnyeat (1631 - 1690 ) being one of the most influential early Quaker ministers. Worked in coloured and white silks on a linen ground.

Elizabeth Blackburn 1723

This powerful and brightly coloured early eighteenth century sampler worked by Elizabeth Blackburn in 1723 is clearly worked under the same instruction as the sampler (shown on this page) worked by Ann Woolsey in 1721. Like Ann's sampler this is worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground and displays the same range of different stitch techniques. This sampler is in exceptional original condition and retains fine original colour.

Mary Ann Martin, 1793

Finely worked late eighteenth century Adam and Eve sampler worked by Mary Ann Martin in 1793. Worked on a fine wool ground in coloured silk thread retaining good original colour.

Anne Evans. 1770.

Worked in coloured silks on a linen ground the sampler uses as it's text the Ten Commandments placed above a black and white chequer-board plinth. Enclosed within an unusual border of decorative assorted flower heads with angels, birds and potted plants.

Jane Price Her Work

This sampler typically dates from the mid 18th century when female literacy was becoming more important. Eleven lines of moral instruction for children form the text above two angels holding 'the crown of life'. Contained in a period ebonised and gilt wood frame.

English. Mid 18th Century.

Mary Cullen, 1786

A freely worked border surrounds a central pious verse on this colourful charming sampler. Mary Cullen has stitched her sampler using a wide variety of different stitches in brightly coloured silks on a fine wool ground. Retaining good original colour and condition.

Mary Vere 1792

Late eighteenth century house sampler worked by Mary Vere, marked her work November I 1792. This charming house sampler retains good original colour and condition. Worked in coloured silks on a fine wool ground.

Quaker Linked Medallion Sampler. 18th century. CC 56.

This rare brightly coloured medallion sampler has been a subject of discussion by Carol Humphrey, expert on Quaker samplers.

Embroidered with fine wool thread on linen.

Sarah Fallover, 1793

Fine late 18th century sampler worked by Sarah Fallover in 1793. The cherubs, worked in fine silk satin stitch have the rare addition of original painted paper arms, legs and faces. This very distinctive rare sampler retains very good original colour and condition.

Christiana Charlsworth: 1754

Rare 18th century sampler worked at Mrs Watsons school Bingley, by Christiana Charlsworth in 1754. This sampler is one from a known group of four all worked under the same instruction. For a similar example see 'Millers Samplers - How to compare and value, Stephen and Carol Huber. Octopus Pub 2002, page 51'. This sampler retains exceptional colour. Full genealogical information available. Conservation mounted and framed in a period mahogany frame behind UV conservation glass.

Elizabeth Skilton 1762

18th Century sampler worked by Elizabeth Skilton, in her 15th year 1762. This sampler was worked at the charity school founded by Lady Elizabeth Howland in Streatham in the early eighteenth century. Interestingly the text on this sampler notes that Elizabeth Howland gave to the scholars educated at the school 'samplers' as well as books.

Susanna Death 1768

Fine 18th century sampler by Susanna Death dated 1768. Worked in coloured silks on a linen ground. Incorporating The Lords Prayer, this sampler retains good original colour and is fully conservation mounted and framed behind U V protective glass.

Hannah Mills, 1790

Finely worked Quaker extract sampler worked by Hannah Mills at Milverton School in 1790. Worked on fine ground in black silk this sampler retains good original condition.

Sarah Sheppard 1733

Exceptional miniature sampler worked with the Lords prayer by Sarah Sheppard at the age of nine in 1733. Worked in red and green silk thread on a fine linen ground.