18th Century (1779!) Blue and White Dutch Darning Sampler on Linen, Framed

18th Century (1779!) Blue and White Dutch Darning Sampler on Linen, Framed

$245.00
{{option.name}}: {{selected_options[option.position]}}
{{value_obj.value}}

I have been eyeing antique Dutch darning samplers for a very long time, but it was this one that made me finally pull the trigger. In part it is because it is a very old one--dating to 1779!--but I also love the minimal blue and white palette, which is so Dutch, and also distinguishes it as much humbler than many fancier examples from same period, which often incorporate a stunning spectrum of colors. As darning was a skill taught to young women of all classes--including in orphanages, as a means for girls to earn "respectable" income--I'd guess this one was made by a girl of the lower classes. Holes were neatly cut into the linen to begin each darn, with this sampler showing a range of techniques, including, I believe, what would be called "open weave,"birds eye," and a variety of twill weaves. At either top side of the central darn are initials- MS and AVI; I have seen double monograms on some other 18th c. samplers but am not entirely sure how to read the meaning (i.e. whether a stu

Show More Show Less