Victorian, dated 1843 1843 Silkwork Sampler by Mary O Leary. Framed in an old, gilt over wood, frame with glass. Glued around the extreme edges only, not at all visible from the front, to a board with wood backing. The sampler is worked in silk on linen ground, in a variety of stitches. Meandering floral border. Colours dark green, light green, cream, dark blue, pale blue, gold, light brown, dark brown and black. Verse reads ''One way let all thy thoughts and actions tend> Reason their constant guide and truth their end> And ever mindful of thy mortal state> How quick how various are the turns of fate> How here how there the tide of fortune roll> How soon impending death concludes the whole> Compose thy mind and free from anxious strife> Endure thy portion of the ills of life.'' Inscription reads ''Honour your Parents''. Signed and dated ''Mary O Leary Aged 11 years 1843''. A good set of motifs, including a large house flanked by fir trees, potted fruit trees, flowers, stars, birds and potted flowering plants. Good. A number of small holes and one crude repair below the inscription. A few light stains along the top edge. No stitch losses other than to the holed areas. Colours are slightly faded, but still well defined. No colour run. Stretching is very slightly uneven. Frame showing some wear, but is structurally sound and in our opinion could be hung ''as is''. 16ins by 12ins wide

Antique Textiles
Antique Samplers