Introduce a piece of French history to your collection with this authentic, hand-stitched 19th-century French schoolgirl sampler (traditionally known as a marquoir or abécédaire). Sourced directly from France, this charming textile is a beautiful example of European folk art and rustic needlework traditions.
Stitched in a vibrant, classic Turkey red cotton thread on a coarse, hand-loomed rustic linen or hemp backing, this piece retains incredible color clarity and historical character.
This is an authentic antique textile showing honest signs of age. The red stitching remains remarkably bright and unfaded. The coarse linen backing features natural age-toning and fraying along the raw, unhemmed edges, adding to its rustic, historic appeal. The fabric has no major holes or dry rot. (Please review all photos carefully for a closer look at the texture and edge wear). At this size, it is ideal for standard framing. We highly recommend mounting it on an acid-free backing board behind UV-protective glass to preserve the historic fibers. It makes a stunning addition to a gallery wall, a rustic farmhouse display, or a collection of antique European textiles. It measures approximately 8.5" x 9".
Historical Details & Motifs:
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Traditional French Alphabet: Features a full uppercase alphabet sequence. Notably, it excludes the letter "W," a classic marker of authentic period French samplers, as the letter was not traditionally used in the French alphabet at the time.
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Large Monograms: Prominently displays large, stylized initials (D, D, and P) in the center, likely representing the family names of the young schoolgirl who crafted it.
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Charming Folk Art Pictorials: The lower register is beautifully detailed with rare folk motifs, including a horse pulling a farm wagon, a large stylized bird on a branch, a cluster of cherries, and a central thistle flower.
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Geometric Borders: Framed on all sides by intricate, hand-worked geometric cross-stitch borders.
Please email me with questions.
