Pair of Samplers by E. Faith

This excellent pair of miniature samplers was worked by E. Faith; interestingly they are both dated August 5, 1815, indicating that they were completed on the same day. One features a large polychrome peacock and the other a peahen, each within a large arching branch. It is quite fortunate that these two pieces have remained together for all these years. 

Miss Faith stitched a playful striped body on the peacock with its tail feathers in a full fan. The tail is fully worked in precise cross-stitches in alternating green and white silk, creating excellent texture and the needleworker did an excellent job in recreating the iridescent blue-green plumage of a male peacock. The sweeping floral branch mirrors the shape of the bird and frames him nicely; both bird and branch sit on a stylized lawn.

The peahen, with her relaxed plumage, is perched directly on the floral sprig. The feathers are a lovely deep rose color with gold used to work the “eyes”. The bird’s body has been tightly stitched in yellow, pale blue, rose, and green. As on the other sampler, the graceful branch contributes to the excellent composition.

Worked in silk on linen, both samplers have a fine couched silk border. They both remain in excellent condition and have been conservation mounted into 19th century maple frames with gold liners.