Isobel Lourie sampler - - eab3c35f121748e8a3e5bd258e43f6d0 (page 1)

A) embroidered English sampler stitched with wool thread on 28 count natural linen with 7 rows of upper case letters over birds, trees, animals and scattered upper case letters in the lower half. The edges of fabric are turned under and secured with running stitch. A 7/8" border on all sides consists of single outer row of bright pink cross stitches and 3/4" to the inside, a single row of green cross stitches that extend to the pink row in each corner. In the space between these 2 rows, pink flowers with brown stem and foliage are cross stitched in alternate up and down orientations. An undulating row of single cross stitches in pale olive green connects all flower stems, slightly longer pink flower with pale olive stem and foliage is stitched in each corner. At the top of the sampler the first 3 1/2 rows are 2 repetitions of 9/16" alphabet worked in cross stitch. Each letter is stitched in one of 5 colors (light pink, bright pink, brown, pale olive green, purple). The first 2 rows are underscored by a single row of cross stitch worked in light pink and purple respectively. The 3rd and 4th rows are underscored by a double row of alternating cross stitches worked in bright pink and brown respectively. Randomly selected 9/16" letters worked in black complete the 4th row and begin the 5th. The 5th row is completed with 8 randomly selected letters and a heart between the 3rd and 4th letters all worked in light pink. This row is underscored by a single row of cross stitches worked in purple. The 6th row of 3/4" letters A to G in one of 5 colors is worked in start stitch and followed by 1/2" numerals 43 over 65. This work is underscored by a double row of alternating start stitches worked in light pink with 5/16" letters "ISOBEL, [?]WRIE AGE 15 1834" followed by 9/16" "JL" worked in light pink and "JW" worked in black. This row is underscored by a single row of alternating green and bright pink cross stitches. The bottom half of the sampler is worked only in cross stitch. Two profile peacocks worked in purple and light pink flank the top half of a green tree which has a bright pink flower in the center with bright pink heart on its top. Between the peacocks and tree are letters "JL" on the left and "MA" on the right worked in brown. Below these letters "AJ" on the left and "L" on the right have been worked in bright pink. Pairs of letters worked in bright pink, purple, pale olive green on brown surround the lower part of the tree and extend across the piece from border to border. In the bottom center 2 smaller pale olive green trees with bright pink flowers in their center are separated by 2 small bright pink rabbits. Between the tree top and above the rabbits is a small brown dog on a purple stand. On either side of this motif brown stands hold 5 bright pink flowers baskets each. Letters "JW" in the lower left corner and "MA" in the lower right corner are worked in light pink. Condition: Some stitches are missing or frayed throughout the sampler especially noticeable in the bright pink border, undulating row of pale olive green stitching in the left border, in the double row of alternating star stitches and under the 6th row of letters in the light pink base the peacocks stand on. B) A 1/2" gold leaf antiqued wooden frame 2/3/16" rust inner band is 16 1/8" x 22 5/8". Double matting in pale green, dark rose. The sampler is not secured under the mat. Condition: Excellent; This English sampler was made by Isobel Lourie, who lived in New Hartley, Seaton Delaval, in Northumberland, England. Many English samplers feature crown, spaniel, and peacock motifs. Miss Lourie was the donor’s great-great grandmother.