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Currently Updated!

Current Selections
Current Selection of Antique Samplers, etc.
Archive
Archive
How to Buy and Sell
How To Buy and Sell
Resources
Resources
EXHIBITIONS, LECTURES AND EVENTS
EXHIBITIONS, LECTURES AND EVENTS
About Us
About Us


Spotlight: In-Depth Dive 
into Noteworthy Needlework
From time to time, we post in-depth studies of significant samplers, or groups of samplers

Mission Samplers from Sierra Leone: Traces of a Black Woman’s Career in the Church Missionary Society, c.1811 to 1841, by Silke Strickrodt, PhD

 

For more information, please visit our Exhibitions, Lectures and Events page

M. Finkel & Daughter is widely considered to be America’s leading dealer in the field of antique samplers and needlework. The world of schoolgirl needlework, generally from the 18th and early 19th centuries, provides fascinating opportunities to collectors, scholars, curators and any who admire this interesting work. An antique sampler acts as a window into the specific history of a young girl, her family, her school, an instructress, a town, a region and a tradition, and as such provides us with unusual insight. It goes without saying that these antique samplers, from a simple marking piece to an elaborate scene, are also extremely visually appealing. 

Amy Finkel is respected for the research and documentation that accompanies the great majority of samplers that she sells. Research delves into the family genealogy as well as that of the school that the samplermaker attended, or the teacher that she studied under. Even a simple marking sampler can be the subject of this in-depth research, and this adds greatly to the interest and value of a sampler. Files filled with papers pertaining to this research accompany the samplers. 

The firm conducts conservation mounting and framing for the samplers that are sold, and all work is done according to best practices in the field. Conservation mounting and framing are done in-house and under Amy’s supervision. When samplers remain in their original frames, they always are mounted to remain in these frames. As samplers are often no longer in their original fames, an excellent cabinetmaker, who has been with the firm for over 25 years, makes frames that are correct to the period and to the geographic region, using techniques and material that follow the original ones closely. Frames made for M. Finkel & Daughter’s samplers have gained much recognition over the years.  Antique samplers were made, almost exclusively, by girls under the instruction of female teachers. Needless to say, the vast majority of what survives of the material culture of our country was made by men, rendering antique samplers that much more interesting today as we seek diversity and look to go beyond the world of antiques made by white males. 

 

History of M. Finkel & Daughter

Morris Finkel first opened an antiques store on Pine Street in Philadelphia in November of 1947, continuing a family tradition in the antiques trade. Pine Street had been the historic antiques district in Philadelphia for over one hundred years at that point and was obviously the perfect location for a business selling period antiques. Situated at the bustling corner of 10th and Pine Streets, the business began and remains in a circa 1840 building, now filled with an internationally acclaimed selection of antique samplers, needlework and silk embroideries from the 17th through the mid 19th centuries.

In 1975, Morris’ daughter, Amy Finkel, joined him, making this business a true family venture. Shortly thereafter, the name of the business was changed to “M. Finkel & Daughter”, reflecting the identity of the two business partners. The father/daughter team combined an interest in antique furniture with the world of historic samplers and needlework. Amy has lectured, written and consulted widely and is well respected for her scholarly approach within this academic field. The Finkels have worked with private clients, with major museums and with historical societies to form some of the most important collections in America. They also regularly bid at auctions on behalf of private clients and museums. The firm was a founding member of Antiques Dealers' Association of America, Inc., an invitation only, non-profit trade association founded in 1984 to promote high standards, educational programs and professionalism within the antiques business.

Beginning in 1992 and continuing twice yearly for 25 years, M. Finkel & Daughter published a full color printed catalogue, Samplings: A Selected Offering of Antique Samplers and Needlework. This showcased samplers and needlework selections, mostly American, dating from 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. Over 1500 samplers were published in these catalogues over the years, with images, in-depth information and research, including family genealogy and town histories. Importantly, the decision was made to post the entire archive of all 50 volumes of the catalogue on this website and the work to post these was a major project. Samplings, A Selected Offering of Antique Samplers and Needlework is available to all here and this has become an invaluable resource for researchers, collectors and curators. 

In 2002, the firm launched its website, samplings.com. From its inception, the site has been a gathering place for information of significance to the world of antique samplers. Current and upcoming museum exhibitions, symposia, conferences, lectures, articles and various announcements are featured. The firm’s Instagram and Facebook are other ways that Amy shares pertinent and current information, as well as offerings.

The shop functions as an inclusive workspace now. While visits are encouraged, of course, appointments are necessary. The current selection of excellent antique samplers for sale can be found here.



936 Pine Street • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
t: 215-627-7797 • mailbox@samplings.com
© 2025 M. Finkel & Daughter. All rights reserved.

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