Small early 19th century linen and silk work sampler by Esther Tomson aged 12 - 1816. This little sampler is just stunning with fine quality stitch work throughout. The upper section of the linen is stitched with the biblical quotation - Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Eccle chap XII - with the following verse beneath which has two rows of alphabet letters and numbers beneath, each underlined with a different example of border pattern

Come Holy Spirit from above and sanctify my youthful heart

Teach it my maker God to love, nor let it once from him depart

Instruct me follies way to shun, unto salvation make me wise

Teach me in virtue's path to run, from vanity turn off my eyes

The middle section of the linen is stitched with a deep floral border with a set of alphabet letters and the numbers 123 beneath, each underlined with a different example of border pattern, whilst the lower section contains the following short verse

 O love the Lord ye saints of his. his eye regards the just

How richly blest their portion is who make the Lord their trust

Esther's name and age plus the date of The 12th day 12th month 1816 run across the bottom edge of the linen with a triangulated long stitch border to their right, then the whole piece is surrounded by a floral border.

The linen has minor overall discolouration consistent with its age with a few small areas of damage. One is able to see through these that the sampler is sitting on a later, clean backing cloth. The sampler is behind glass so I'm not able to see the reverse, but the colours of the silks  appear good though they are likely to have mellowed to some extent over the years. The sampler is contained within a mid/late 20th century gilt effect frame with sage green inset. The frame is in very good condition with intentional distressing to the gilt work. 

Measures 7 1/2" x 12 3/4" (sight size) and 9" x 14 1/4" including the frame.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT I HAVE USED A NEW CAMERA TO TAKE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS AND I AM STRUGGLING WITH THE COLOUR BALANCE (something I'm STILL working on!!) AS SUCH, SOME OF MY PHOTOS HAVE A SLIGHTLY FIERY OR YELLOWISH LOOK TO THEM WHICH IS NOT THE CASE, IT'S JUST MY INCOMPETENCE!

PLEASE NOTE - ANY MARKS ETC ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH I'VE NOT ALREADY MENTIONED ARE FROM THE GLARE AND REFLECTION OF THE GLASS AND NOT ON THE SAMPLER ITSELF.

ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK. ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OTHER SAMPLERS I'M SELLING. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES.

PLEASE NOTE - THIS ITEM IS LOCATED IN THE UK BUT CAN BE SHIPPED TO THE LOCATIONS TICKED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SECTION.

SHIPPING WILL BE VIA FEDEX OR PARCELFORCE - FULLY TRACKED DELIVERY TO THE USA WITHIN FIVE WORKING DAYS.