An Extremely Fine and Important English silk and metalic-thread needlework Long Sampler circa 1660

with a large central panel worked with ladies bearing enormous flowerheads in pink and blue robes, their faces of white button-hole stitch with facial characteristics, flaps to each side similarly worked and enclosing boxer-like figures in pink and green, border bands of acorns and blooms worked in cross-stitch and outlined with raised silver thread chain-stich, other bands with gobelin stitch blooms, leaves in polychrome silks infilled with a cariety of designs normally associated with blackwork, raisedwork negro hunter with raised bow, lions, stags, dragons, horses, insects, dogs, a highly detailed band with more button hole stitched boxers holding blooms, fierce lion, scarlet squirrel, spiders, minutely worked pots of blooms and acorn bands higlighted with silver thread, the verse at the base workd in polychrome cross-stitch: These are the practis of mi Youth entitled by the name of truth with care and cost I these have I wrought and finished it with virgin thoug(ht), having run out of space, the last two letters being squeezed into the line above.

Sold, Sotheby's London, March 4, 1998

Extremely finely embroidered. The colors still vibrant and not faded. The metallic thread to bottom portion beneath the three women with some very minor in-stitching. The whole within a later frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This is the companion-piece to the fine needlepoint lace sampler which was sold at Sotheby's, London, March 13, 1997 lot 47 (£62,000).  The two samplers were originally purchased together by the vendor in London in the 1970's. There are striking similarities between them such as the incorporation of figures in arches, the working of the faces of the three figures in this sampler with those of the mermaids, the button-hole stitched robes of the three ladies with those of the male figures, the fountain etc on the needlepoint lace sampler. This sampler is technically brilliant and it is surprising that no lace bands were incorporated as is the custom. It is probable that the polychrome lace sampler sold as lot 47 was the lace exercise, this sampler being the test of embroidery technique and border patterns by the same girl. Sadly neither piece was signed or dated and so this needlewoman must remain anonymous.