Historical information

Their bold use of strong primary colour, particularly reds and greens, distinctive architectural style (very geometric, often with strong vertical lines and French influences), heraldic peacocks (usually with seven tailfeathers), dogs, rabbits, illuminated lettering, and other symbolic motifs, make Scottish samplers quite a recognizable group. Archaic designs often appear on Scottish works one hundred years after having made their debut on English samplers. The arms of Scotland, the “mystery mansions,” many groups of initials (usually family members), peculiar shaded mounds upon which often sit urns, fountains, Adams and Eves, or groups of odd little rabbits stacked up or all in a row, are specific elements of design seen on this regional group of samplers.

Physical description

Traditional child's sampler on beige/unbleached linen.
Four rows of alphabets in four-sided stitch, cross and eyelet stitch.
Additional motifs include a man and woman in period dress, birds, dogs, a red house and various trees and vases of foliage and flowers.
Undulating vine and flower border.
Embroider in red, green, mauve, brown, pale blue, white and black.
Scottish in design.

Inscriptions & markings

"The loss of Gold is Much
The loss of time is more
But the loss of Jesus Christ is such
As no man can restore"
JMC MC JMC
DMC JMC
"The lily of the Vale S admired
Tis So simple So retired"
Mary Mc Connochie
Aged 9 years
August 1.
(?) illian