Maria L. Stauffer, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, 1867
Price: $1450, Sampler size: 17¼" x 18"

Decorative arts made by the Pennsylvania Germans display their love of strong color and composition. Because many of the sects believe in maintaining the simplicity of centuries ago within their lives, their samplers, quilts, painted furniture, decorated boxes, etc. continued to reflect their early patterns for many decades into the later 19th and 20th centuries. Were it not for the specific materials used, Maria L. Stauffer's sampler could have been worked many years earlier; it reflects the classic motifs and palette found on samplers made from the 18th century forth.

The alphabets along with the hearts, stars, little rooster, flowers and little geometric elements provide wonderful decoration. This is a large sampler with a bold and handsome appeal. Worked in wool onto blue-lined linen, the sampler is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in its original beveled frame.