Bidspirit auction | 1840 Needlework Sampler by Elisabeth

1840 Needlework Sampler by Elisabeth Ann Gould - A 19th-century needlework sampler worked in silk or wool threads on a natural linen ground, housed in a bird's-eye maple veneer frame with a pine backboard. The textile features a decorative floral border enclosing a central field filled with various motifs, including floral sprays, baskets of flowers, birds, crowns, a butterfly, and stylized trees such as evergreens and weeping willows. The upper section contains a four-line hand-stitched verse: LORD give me wisdom to direct my way / I crave not riches nor yet length of days / my life is a flower the time it has to last / is mixt with care and shakes with / every blast. Below the central motifs, a two-line inscription identifies the maker and date: Elisabeth Ann Gould her work Aged 12 Years December 5th / Anno Domini 1840. The sampler is presented in a period frame featuring a mitered bird's-eye maple veneer. The reverse shows a wood backboard secured with small nails and a wire hanging mechanism. A small tan fabric or paper tab is affixed to the left side of the backboard (photo 6). Width: 21 inches Height: 17 1/4 inches. The sampler shows significant age-related toning and darkening to the linen ground throughout (photo 1). There is a prominent diagonal crease or fold mark running through the lower left quadrant of the linen (photo 1). Scattered small holes and areas of thread loss are visible, particularly in the verse section and near the bottom border (photo 1, 3). The bird's-eye maple frame has a small chip to the veneer on the outer left edge (photo 1) and minor abrasions at the corners (photo 4, 5).