“Soli Deo Gloria” / Glory to God Alone

A wonderfully sophisticated group of samplers made in the Nuremberg area in the late 17th and 18th centuries includes many motifs and, significantly, blocks of solidly stitched patterns executed in various canvaswork techniques including florentine, rococo, queen and tent stitch. Frequently black outlines of the blocks or patterns enhance some of each design. We have owned several of these samplers over the years and are pleased to offer this fine example. They are generally unsigned but include several sets of initials and those worked inside the central wreath likely indicate the samplermaker. The inscription, “Soli  Deo Gloria” appears after the date, “Anno 1748.”

Samplers that belong to this group are in museums including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Victoria and Albert Museum London, and St. Gallen Textile Museum, Switzerland. 

Worked in silk and metallic thread on wool, the sampler is in very good condition. While the needlework is all in excellent condition, there are some very minor holes in the wool fabric. Conservation mounted in an early 19th century walnut frame.