Victorian, dated 1857 1857 Silkwork Sampler by Helen Bowen. Framed in an old wood frame with gilt slip and glass. Mounted to conservator standards on acid free card with chipboard backing. The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, in cross stitch throughout. Meandering strawberry border. Colours navy blue, cream, black, pink, green, turquoise and gold. Verse reads ''And Canst thou Parents for a moment think . that> we thy children when old age shall shed. Its blanching> honours on thy weary heads . Could from our> best of duties ever shrink . Sooner the sun from his> bright sphere shall sink . Than we ungrateful leave y> life(?) in that day . To pine in solitude your lifes awa y''. Signed and dated ''Helen Bowen Her work Aged 12 Years 1857''. A good set of motifs, including angels, a lady with a baby, fir trees, butterflies, dogs, fruit baskets, birds, potted flowering plants, squirrels, hearts, peacocks, a lady and a gentleman and a house with a garden. Generally good. A number of holes. No stains other than uniform age darkening of the ground. Some stitch losses to the top line of the verse. Colours are all good and strong with no noticeable fading. The silks bright and glossy. Colour run around the dark green threads. Stretching is very slightly uneven. Frame in very good condition, ready to hang. 21ins by 13ins wide

Antique Textiles
Antique Samplers