1897 French motif schoolgirl sampler in a beautiful frame

Dated 1897, this French sampler uses small motifs from the little Sajou-style pattern booklets so popular at the time, to great effect. Initials, alphabets, crowns, a gazebo, an anchor, a rooster plus a wine bottle and glass are all stitched in a variety of colorful silks on a light beige linen fabric. The inscription reads “Bathilde-Marie Greffulhe a fait d Paris ce 10 Juin 1897″ (Bathilde-Marie Greffulhe made this in Paris 10 Juin 1897).

In excellent condition. No missing stitches, no holes or worn spots in the ground fabric. Slight fading to some colors but a very pretty effect overall. The frame has age-appropriate wear and is a little loose at the corners. There is no glass but it is in very good condition, ready to hang and enjoy. The back is covered with a fragile French newspaper of the era which could be saved and reattached after the frame is opened to replace the glass.

The sampler measures 13-1/2″ wide by 21-1/2″ high in a heavy wooden frame measuring 18-1/2″ by 27” overall. Not examined out of the frame, but the fabric does not appear to be glued down as samplers often are.