Eliza Springall

A beautifully stitched and very charming sampler, this is signed, “Eliza Springall Aged Eight Years.” It is part of the large, outstanding group of samplers made in Norfolk, England; these samplers have been the subject of much research, some of which resulted in Joanne Lukacher’s excellent book, Imitation and Improvement: The Norfolk Sampler Tradition (Redmond, WA: In the Company of Friends, LLC, 2013). The band along the bottom of this sampler, with its classic Norfolk linked octagonal composition, places the sampler squarely into this group. The lions flanking a pine tree with birds above is a pattern found on other samplers, specifically from the late 18th century made in Norwich. 

A family note that was written on the back of the frame of the sampler informs us that Elizabeth Springall was born in 1779.  She was most likely from St. Giles parish in Norfolk and in 1799 married Samuel Venables of London. 

The sampler was worked in silk on wool and is in excellent condition, with a very few minor weaknesses to the wool. It has been stabilized and conservation mounted into a burl frame with a gilt liner. 
 

note of family information