Forgive my not so great photos of this terrific antique sampler, finely executed by a Caroline Waldimand (or perhaps Haldimand), age 9, in the mid 1800s I believe. As there is an unfinished edge across the top, it seems possible this was once a larger piece, perhaps with with an alphabet above, now lost. The fleur de lis at center makes me think perhaps Caroline was Canadian, and I have found mention of some Waldimand and Haldimands both in the Ontario region. I have not been able to figure out why the pistols, though, which I've never seen on a sampler before, though I am anything but a sampler expert. Parrots, somewhat surprisingly, commonly appeared in samplers as well as paintings, drawings, etc, and I love that this green and white one in its tree is the centerpiece here, especially great with the bright yellow chicken scurrying along to its left, toward the little dog sitting up on hind legs. Plus windmill, cat, deer, harp, swan, guitar, and what I believe is a butterfly, though perhaps a bee!
14" x 12 1/4" framed. Sampler measures 11 1/8" x 9 3/4". The color of the ground is a cream, and it almost looks like as if woven of silk thread, but I am not entirely sure. It appears to have been framed not very long ago--mounted on tannish-cream board and in what looks like a burl wood frame, wired on the back for hanging. Both the sampler and the frame and in very good condition. No holes or notable stains on the sampler and no losses that I can see; color is very bright and crisp.
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