AMERICAN / BRITISH NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on linen, embroidered bow-knot and foliate motif above two reserves of six-line verses, divided by a scrolling flower vine, below signed "Eliza Dyer / work'd this Sampler / in the 14th Year of / her Age 1838." within a chenille oval frame, flanked by two trees having perched birds and two animals underneath including a dog, all encompassed by an undulating vine border. Housed under glass in a red-painted frame. Dated 1838. 13" x 16 5/8" sight, 17" x 20 5/8" OA. 
Catalogue Note: The identity of Eliza Dyer is undetermined, there were several living in Britain and America whose birth dates are in 1823, 1824, and 1825.
One potential candidate is Elizabeth A. "Eliza" Dyer of Chatham, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, born in 1824 to parents Coleman Dyer (1799-1846) and Louisa Shelton (1802-1891). She married Tandy Rice Shepherd (1820-1915) on April 16, 1844, and they had six children. Eliza's husband and at least four of her brothers served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. She died on November 17, 1896 and is buried at Chatham Burial Park in Chatham, VA.

Excellent overall condition with a minor loss to lower left corner edge and an 1/8" diameter hole in the upper right border, some thread with fading/fugitive color, frame with minor wear and surface scratches. Not examined out of frame.