Early/mid 19th century linen and wool work sampler bearing the names William and Mary Ann Johnson, so possibly a marriage sampler. Though undated, the style of stitch work would indicate this piece dates to c.1840 or slightly earlier. I want to begin by mentioning there is a fair amount of stitch loss but what remains is completely charming with neat stitch work throughout. The upper section of the linen is stitched with three of alphabet letters and numbers, each underlined with a different example of border pattern, the third underlined with a Greek key border which has a row of large letters below. William and Mary Ann's names are contained within the middle section of the linen with a row of sets of family initials and numbers below.,The lower section of the linen is stitched with a central flower bowl with flowers, hearts a diamond and bird to the left of its topmost bloom and a flower, dog, two hearts and two diamonds to its right. The bowl itself has birds and a headless dog to its left and a bird, floral motif and flower basket to its right. This section of stitching from the the top of the central flower bowl is surrounded by a meandering line border. 

The linen has overall discolouration consistent with its age, very slightly darker in places and paler in the areas where the stitching is missing. The colours of the wool are good with the earlier mentioned stitch loss, mainly in the upper and middle sections. The last photo is of the reverse of the sampler and indicates how the colours would have looked when it was first stitched.

Measures 10 1/2" x 15" 

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!

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 ROYAL MAIL TRACK & SIGNED - $25.00 TO THE USA, ELSEWHERE PLEASE CONTACT ME.

PLEASE NOTE - ROYAL MAIL HAVE INCREASED THEIR PRICES SO I HAVE ALSO HAD TO INCREASE MY SHIPPING COSTS.