BRITISH PICTORIAL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on linen, upper third with a six-line verse that reads, "When my short Glass its latest Sand shall run / And Death approach to fright the Lookers on / Softly may I sigh out my Soul in Air / Stand thou my pitying Guardian Angel there / Guide and conduct her through the Milky way / To the bright Regions of eternal Day", within a rectangular frame flanked by trees and floral urns, middle third with a large three-story brick house with a picket fence and small garden to the front bordered by various trees and two perched birds, below signed "E . Dowding Aged 12 Years", lower third featuring Adam and Eve at the Tree of Life with the serpent, flanked by two tall trees with birds in the branches and animals at the base of the trunks, all encompassed by a scrolling vine border. Housed under glass in a 19th century gilt-molded frame. Late 18th/first half 19th century. 13 1/2" x 17 1/8" sight, 16 1/4" x 19 7/8" OA.
Provenance: Personal collection of Judith (Judy) Cronin, Orleans, MA.
Very good visual condition with overall toning, a few holes including at center bottom edge, some stains and minor bleeding of dark color thread notably on verse, some thread with fugitive color, frame with wear, separation at lower proper right corner, molding having flakes, cracks, and losses. Not examined out of frame.