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Dated 1836 and bearing the partially faded name Sarah Smith, this early schoolgirl sampler features a large red house surrounded by two windmills, four colorful birds, flowering sprigs and stylized trees. Hand-worked in softly faded polychrome wool and/or silk threads on linen, it has wonderful naïve folk-art character.
Presented unframed in authentic antique condition, with age toning, stitch loss, small holes, loose threads and frayed edges as shown. A beautifully personal survival of early 19th-century girls’ education and domestic charming and highly pictorial antique schoolgirl needlework sampler signed “Sarah Mills” and dated 1836.
Worked by hand in softly faded polychrome threads on a loosely woven linen ground, the sampler centers on a large red house with a stepped entrance, prominent doorway, rows of windows and architectural detailing. The house is surrounded by two windmills, small flowering trees, birds, floral sprigs and decorative borders.
The maker’s inscription appears along the bottom:
“Sarah Mills 1836”
The wonderfully naïve drawing, irregular stitching and time-softened palette give the sampler considerable early folk-art character. Its house-and-windmill composition is much more decorative and visually distinctive than a conventional alphabet sampler.
DETAILS
Maker: Sarah Mills
Date: 1836
Type: Schoolgirl needlework sampler
Material: Linen ground with polychrome wool and/or silk threads
Technique: Hand embroidery with cross stitch and additional decorative stitches
Subject: House, windmills, birds, trees and flowers
Origin: Probably American or British; precise origin unknown
Presentation: Unframed
Dimensions: Approximately 8\" x 8\"
DESIGN
A large red house dominates the composition, surrounded by two red-and-blue windmills, four small birds worked in pale blue and chartreuse green, flowering sprigs and two stylized conical trees or topiary. The multiplicity of architectural, avian and botanical motifs gives the sampler unusually strong folk-art appeal.
CONDITION
Authentic antique condition with substantial age-related character. The linen is toned and uneven, with waviness, creasing, scattered areas of weakened or open weave. There is fading and loss to portions of the stitched decoration, particularly the inscription and borders.
The edges are irregular and frayed, with losses and loose fibers. Several threads are loose, pulled or detached, and unfinished thread ends remain visible on the reverse. An old stitched hanging loop remains along the upper edge.
The sampler is unframed and has not been cleaned or restored. Its imperfections are consistent with its considerable age and handmade origin. Please examine all photographs closely for the most complete understanding of condition.
COLLECTOR NOTES
Dated and named schoolgirl samplers provide a tangible record of girls’ education, domestic training and creative work during the early 19th century. The maker’s identity transforms the textile from an anonymous decorative object into a surviving piece of personal history.
This example is particularly appealing for its architectural subject, paired windmills, birds and strongly naïve folk-art composition. It would make a compelling addition to a collection of early needlework, women’s history, schoolgirl textiles, American or British folk art and historic domestic objects.
HOHM PROVENANCE
Acquired by HOHM in Carpinteria, California, and selected for its named and dated history, early folk-art character and unusually engaging architectural imagery.
Antique and vintage objects carry the marks of their history. Fading, discoloration, textile irregularities, losses and other evidence of age are regarded as part of the object’s authentic character and are documented whenever apparent.
SHIPPING
The sampler will be carefully layered with acid-free tissue, protected against moisture and shipped flat in a rigid, well-supported package. Tracking and insurance will be included as appropriate.
RETURNS
Due to the age, rarity and delicate nature of this antique textile, returns are not accepted. Please review all photographs, measurements and condition information carefully before purchasing. Questions are always welcome before purchase.
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