Elizabeth Stanford, probably Scottish, circa 1790
Price: $4200, Sampler size: 16¼" x 13¼"

Scottish schoolteachers frequently held their students to high standards and their samplers are wonderful indicators. This sampler by Elizabeth Stanford is a wonderful example of the combination of this excellent skill, biblical subject matter and the naïve birds and animals that interested young girls. Scottish samplers often portray a strong Dutch influence in the subject matter and motifs. The theme is that of the "Spies Sent to Canaan" and they are depicted just above her name. Throughout the sampler other references to this story appear, the Barren Fig Tree, the Orange Tree and the Pumegranat (sic) Tree as these were known as the type of trees that Joshua and Caleb brought back from their trip to the valley of Eshcol (Numbers13:23).

Additional iconography includes the owls which represent wisdom and learning. The center prayer indicates the hope for health and liberty with thanks for any "overplus." Elizabeth was an unusually fine needleworker and this sampler is an impressive accomplishment.

Worked in silk on linen, it is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into a mahogany frame.