BRITISH PICTORIAL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on wool, top row with a four-line verse on virtue flanked by butterflies above trees, below featuring larger butterflies, wreaths around birds, various plants, and a stylized flower vine, lower half with a scene depicting two soldiers in pink/red coats holding rifles and guarding a tower or fort topped by a flag, surrounded by plants and animals, bottom row signed "Hannah Mak / ens finifh th[i]s Sa / mp" in one corner and "In the 11 Year / of her Age" in the other corner, dated "October 23: 1809" along bottom edge, all encompassed by a scrolling strawberry vine border. Housed under glass in a 19th century gilt-molded frame. Dated 1809. 12 1/4" x 17 1/2" sight, 15 1/4" x 20 1/2" OA.
Literature: Parallels Sebba - Samplers: Five Centuries of a Gentle Craft, pp. 86-87.
Catalogue Note: The identity of Hannah Makens is unknown. We previously sold a 1797 sampler with a similar design featuring the same verse as part of the collection of Nick Routson, see Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 5/22/2021, lot 14.

Stitching in very good visual condition with minor fugitive color, possibly one or a few minor losses, linen with several holes and losses, some light toning and discoloration, frame with chips and losses to molding, regilted. Not examined out of frame.