A very appealing sampler, this is signed along the top and the bottom, “London march the 2 1749 Clementina Morgan in the 11th year of her age 1749.” The sampler presents an unusual composition with a wonderful assortment of floating motifs, and the most significant is the figure of a crowned lady wearing a fine, striped skirt with tiny feet and shoes peeking out below. Initialed CR, she was Caroline Regina – the late Queen and wife of George II. English samplermakers occasionally referenced or portrayed Kings and Queens on their samplers and we always enjoy finding these examples.

Several additional everyday depictions are rendered, including people, three little houses, peacocks, deer, swans, birds, butterflies, sheep, angels, double-headed eagles, trees and flowers. These are artfully arranged with classic symmetry but with a free-form quality that is rarely found on English samplers.

Research indicates that the samplermaker, Clementina Morgan, was likely born and baptized in Manchester, England, the daughter of Edward and Mary Morgan. Perhaps the family relocated to London or Clementina was sent there for schooling? She died in 1789 and is buried in the Manchester Cathedral.

The provenance of the sampler is interesting as well. Early labels and an appraisal letter included with the sampler indicate that, in the early 20th century, it was part of an important sampler collection that was exhibited in various locations throughout England and Scotland.

Worked in silk onto tightly woven linen, the sampler is in excellent condition with some very minor loss of stiches of the two little black animals flanking the central figure. It has been conservation mounted and is in a birds-eye maple frame.

Image of verso of sampler by Clementina Morgan

Provenance for Clementina Morgan sampler