1808 ML German Band Sampler with religious motifs SOLD

SOLD

Dated1808 with the initials ML (above the date, near center) this German band sampler displays classic motifs dating back hundreds of years– alphabets, a pomegranate border, repeating geometric patterns, a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young, the Christian lamb, well with bucket, a peacock and many others. It was worked with fine silk thread on an almost gauze-like finely woven linen ground fabric. Many colors of silk thread were used with a particularly pretty blue-green retaining its color quite nicely.

The sampler has the original woven selvedge on both long sides; there is a visible thin line of glue across the top edge affixing it to an old discolored cardboard backing, but the rest of the fabric has enough wrinkles and sagging to show that it hasn’t been glued down. I am unable to tell for certain if the bottom edge has been trimmed since the sampler has not been removed from the frame, but it may have originally been part of a much longer piece. The overall condition is fair, with small losses along the selvedge edges, a few small holes throughout and a few vertical splits.

Mounted in an older narrow 1/2″ wide wooden frame, the overall size measures 11-1/2″ by 21. It would benefit greatly from proper mounting over a matching linen to disguise the holes, and a better frame but it is ready to hang and enjoy as is. The overall effect is less golden and more muted than the photos may appear on your screen.