ASF, German Sampler, 1766
Price: $3200, Sampler size: 12¾" x 14½"

Samplers made in the middle of the 18th century in northern Europe can offer interesting pictorial subjects arranged in pleasing compositions and executed in a fine vocabulary of stitches. This is an excellent sampler with some motifs that came originally from 17th century pattern books; others are more naïve with a strong folk quality. The alphabet, in its early form without the letters J and U, appears in a compartment in the upper left along with two sets of initials which are likely those of the maker and those of her teacher. The repetition of ASF in the center wreath indicates that this is likely the maker.

The fully developed Latin cross scene is topped with the initials INRI, Latin for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews). A charming couple appears nearby an armchair and a deer with large antlers, the symbol of the wisdom of God. The many branches and sprigs of flowers, worked in an appealing array of colors and stitches, capture one's attention. Some of these are worked in a free-form manner while the two stylized motifs that appear in the corners are those that were designed a century earlier and are attributed to Rosina Helena Furst, whose pattern books were entitled "Alle Mein Blumen."

The sampler was worked in silk on a fine pale blue linen. It is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted and is in a 19th century gold leaf frame.