$125.00
Interestingly, whomever wrought this very detailed, family-history sampler omitted just one significant detail- the family surname!
On the left side of the sampler, the Scotch nationality is wrought along with the occupations of Parson and Doctor, with a 1725, antique salt box style home the domicile of the parson (?) wrought below the later 1930s domicile of the doctor (?) at New York City's Park Avenue address.
The right side of the family sampler depicts French origins with a 1777 mentor (teacher) and his red schoolhouse wrought below the 1861 farmer residing in the town of Morrisania (Morristown, NJ?).
The central aspect of the sampler depicts a number of images: a very stylish horse drawn carriage with driver and a sun umbrella--holding, female occupant, a well-landscaped, bright yellow homestead dated 1777, the nationality of "English" stitched out, and finally, a tall-spired village church with accompanying date of 1752.
The French Fleur de Lis is wrought into the sampler as well as the very ancient, stylized, so-called-today "swastika" cross, a symbol of peace and prosperity that can be traced back to ancient Byzantine times and which was frequently featured in early Native American culture as a symbol of abundance.
The sampler hem is completely hand-stitched. The sampler, itself, is in very fine condition retaining bright coloration and an absence of holes, tears or discoloration of any kind. Background color of the linen is an even, mellow, tannish-off-white.
A well-executed cross stitch sampler, an example of fabulous Americana Folk Art, which is shrouded in mystery as to family origin!
$275.00
It was constructed in the basket design by Anna Beiler in the late 1970s. Its provenance is from the Robacher personal catalog of collections--- a renown, Pennsylvania husband and wife team who became the published, indisputable American experts in Pennsylvania Dutch decorative art and culture. Over their multiple decades of marriage, they collected an utterly massive number and wide variety of Pennsylvania Dutch artifacts before both passing away in the early 1980's.
Colors are bright orange-red, navy blue, royal blue, forest green, pink and standard green. Please note that all colors are quite striking and brilliant, and remain even in color and tone throughout. Any photos that appear to suggest to the contrary, are a result of lighting issues and do not in any way reflect condition.
This piece was never used and was purchased new in the 1970s by the Robachers, and placed in careful storage in a cedar-lined trunk. It has remained in storage in a cedar chest since its purchase from the Robacher Estate Auctions held in 1989 by Horst Auctioneers of Ephrata, PA.