Bidspirit auction | 1834 Anna Wingrover Burt Needlework

1834 Anna Wingrover Burt Needlework Sampler - This antique pictorial needlework sampler is executed in silk and cotton threads on a linen ground. The composition is structured around a central section flanked by floral borders. The right side of the work features a detailed landscape scene depicting a two-story house with two chimneys, positioned behind a dark-toned foreground and flanked by stylized, tapering coniferous trees. The central and left sections contain various symmetrical motifs including stylized baskets of flowers, potted plants, birds, and geometric floral sprays. A repeating geometric and floral vine border encloses the entire work. The sampler is worked primarily in cross-stitch and various embroidery stitches. Centrally located within the embroidery is a readable signature and date in a simple block font: Anna Wingrover Burt 1834. The piece is housed in a glazed, mitered wood frame with a gilt finish. The reverse shows the linen is mounted over a wooden stretcher or backing board, secured with old nails and remnants of adhesive tape at the edges. Width: 19 inches Height: 15.25 inches. The sampler exhibits significant age-related wear and deterioration. The linen ground is overall darkened and discolored with several irregular dark stains, most prominent in the landscape section (photo 1) and the lower left corner (photo 6). There is notable thread loss and deterioration of the embroidery fibers, particularly in the dark-toned foreground of the house scene (photo 4, photo 5) and the lower left floral motif (photo 6), resulting in small holes in the linen ground. The frame shows heavy distress with significant loss of the gilt finish and cracking at the mitered corners (photo 7, photo 8). The backing materials are worn with remnants of old adhesive tape and oxidation on the mounting nails (photo 9).