Needlework Sampler, Elizabeth Temple, c1826

A needlework sampler worked by Elizabeth Temple, aged ten, in 1826 or thereabouts. The linen ground has aged to a warm honey-brown, and the silk threads have softened with time from what would have been vivid reds and greens into a muted palette. Two rows of capital letters run across the top, followed by the lowercase alphabet and numerals, and then the maker's own inscription: Elizabeth Temple aged 10 years 1826. Below, the sampler opens into a grid of floral motifs: stylised carnations, a central flowering tree or vase form, and scattered blooms.

Samplers of this period were both a practical exercise and a record. Elizabeth would have spent weeks on this, learning her stitches and demonstrating her competence. That her name and age survive, and that the piece has lasted two hundred years, gives it a weight beyond the decorative. Presented in a simple modern wooden frame with a neutral mount. 

Condition: General fading throughout, consistent with age and light exposure over approximately two centuries. The silk threads retain good legibility but have softened considerably from their original colours. Some areas of thread loss or wear visible in the lower sections, particularly among the floral motifs. The linen ground shows age-related toning and some localised staining. A small area of more significant damage is visible in the lower centre. The piece is glazed in the current frame, which will help slow further deterioration. Overall condition is fair to good for its age and entirely expected.

Dimensions: 39 x 44cm