Maria Fondersmith, Pennsylvania, circa 1825
Price: $2850, Sampler size: 10" x 13½"

This small sampler features one of the loveliest borders we have come across and an equally appealing verse. The anonymous poem celebrates the virtues of an honest heart over showy looks, the "outward forms" of a "garden's gayest pride." This was a popular lesson in the early 19th century but was rarely as well stated as on this sampler.

The border is a rich and naturalistic leafy vine of blossoms and buds that emanate from a lattice-work basket. The large blossoms are placed so as to form strong corner elements and the inner line surrounding the verse accommodates this floral composition.

The Fondersmith family was likely from southeastern Pennsylvania and of German origin. Although it is difficult to place a specific origin on this sampler, we do know that there were many prominent Fondersmith families in and around Lancaster County. Worked in silk on linen, it is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into a period beveled frame with a painted finish.