Antique American Needlework Sampler by Maria Morris, 1827

Antique American Needlework Sampler by Maria Morris, 1827, a needlework sampler on linen panel having alphabet and numerals, above a religious “rod and reproof” verse, over a house and garden with man and dog, over an array of trees, windmills and potted flower, signed in cartouche “Maria Morris Finished This Sampler June 16, 1827” in the lower center; mounted in a period, presumably original rosewood frame. Young Maria employed a good number of varying techniques and accomplished them well. The quality of the needlework is superb, achieving tightly stitched and finely detailed images, and very precise text. The art is well laid out across the linen, not clustered and rigidly symmetric as one would see in many samplers (especially English for example). The colors are strong but not gaudy, and have survived very well without fading. The sampler remains in very, very good condition. It is fascinating to see the personal details portrayed in this sampler. Rather than stylized stick figures, we see a very specific image of Maria’s father and her pet dog. The house is not a standard image of a simple house, but is a rendering of her home. The pine trees indicate a New England location, but the orchard trees suggest a central locale, like Massachusetts, rather than the boreal forests of Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont. You have to love the detail of the picket fence and kitchen garden. This needlework is from an old scholarly collection of museum quality samplers on Nantucket Island.

Measures: Sampler: 14 in H x 12 in W Framed: 16 in height x 14 in width x 1 in deep.