Mid 19th century sampler by Martha Anderson aged 13. Though undated, the style of stitch work would indicate this piece dates to c.1860 or slightly later. Worked in wool on gauze, this sampler is just delightful with neat stitch work throughout. The upper section of the gauze is stitched with rows of alphabet letters, numbers and border patterns, whilst the middle section is stitched with a central floral motif plus two birds which has a floral motif, fruit basket and squirrel to eithe...r side. There is an impressive two storey red brick house beneath which has Martha's initials over its two chimneys, floral motifs, a tulip bowl and strawberry down its left side and a floral urn, tulip, floral motifs and a flower bowl down the right side. There are two diamond borders beneath the house - one green, the other red which have a crown to each side and Martha's details plus her place of residence - Kneesal - beneath flanked by a heart motif and tree. The whole piece is then surrounded by a deep meandering floral border. The gauze has overall discolouration consistent with its age, slightly darker in places with faint areas of staining from where certain shades of the wool have bled. The colours of the wool are good with the purple having mellowed more than the other shades as is often the case. There is also the odd stitch missing here and there. The last photo is of the reverse of the sampler and indicates how the colours would have looked when Martha first stitched it. As can also be seen from the photographs, there are visible tack marks and fraying around the edges of the gauze from where the sampler has been tacked onto a stretcher or backing board at some point of timePLEASE NOTE - This is a fairly large sampler measuring 22 1/2" across x 20 1/2" ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK. ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OTHER SAMPLERS I'M SELLING. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES.PLEASE NOTE - THIS ITEM IS LOCATED IN THE UK BUT CAN BE SHIPPED TO THE LOCATIONS TICKED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SECTION. SHIPPING WILL BE VIA ROYAL MAIL TRACK & SIGNED - $20.00 TO THE USA, ELSEWHERE PLEASE CONTACT ME.