Regency House Sampler

 Regency

Circa 1800–1830 | England

An antique undated house sampler (see The Gen), likely worked during the Regency era given the style of the Georgian house, created by Harriot Mary Sarsons.

This highly collectable sampler contains within its scrolling floral border a central motif of a red three-storied town house enclosed by a fence, above and below which we find charmingly worked spot motifs including flowering plants in pots, trees, swans, cherubs, carnations, butterflies and birds.

This elegant and skilfully executed sampler is embroidered in a range of finely worked stitches in silk, including rarely found metallic thread, on a plain weave linen. Conservation framing, including crêpe backing, and likely in a period bird’s-eye maple frame.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Harriot Mary Sarsons work in her 11 year.

DIMENSIONS: Framed 51 x 39 cm, Visible sampler 41.5 x 29.5 cm.

CONDITION: In very good original condition retaining exceptional original colour. It appears that there was once minor loss which has been treated within the conservation framing.

REFERENCES: For an example of similar samplers with a house motif see Victoria & Albert Museum, Accession Number T.97-1939 and Accession Number T.96-1939.

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THE GEN

“One of the most common designs used on samplers of the 18^th and 19^th centuries is the house. To the sampler makers, the house symbolized security and served as a place to display the finished needlework. Houses depicted on samplers appear in all shapes and sizes—from a small cottage … to large impressive Queen Anne brick buildings … Stitched houses were depicted in a variety of ways and positions in the sampler design. They might appear as a bottom panel or as a central motif standing by itself. In these cases, the makers surrounded them with trees, lawn, garden and animals. Alternatively, stitchers might use houses as corner blocks. Whatever the origin and however configured, the house sampler is quite possibly the most collected type of sampler in today’s market. Found on the most elementary to the most sophisticated samplers, the house continues as the symbol of home, ‘where the heart is.’” (Millers Samplers: How to Compare & Value, Stephen Huber, Octopus Publishing Group, 2002, p. 72)

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