A child's needlework sampler in silk embroidery with enhancements, this one is signed in small cross stitch, "Jenny Bermud, agée de 11 ans" (age of 11 years), and dated 1855, Villeurbanne (France). A fine linen canvas with a pearl-framed prayer card of the Virgin Mary and in her stitches, "Tribut d'amour filial, Bierge Marie, Protége conserve ma Bonne Maman" (Tribute to the familial love, Virgin Mary, associate kept by my good mother). What a sweet dedication from an 11 year old girl. In her time, a Noble girl's education consisted of needle crafts, music, comportment and poetic arts, and usually not at all in science, math or business concerns. Her sampler lovingly given and beautifully framed in a period or older 26" x 24" wood frame decorated with plaster or gesso appliqué, gilded. It's a shadow box frame and the ornamentation added in the lower 1/4 is all 3-dimensional silk flowers and yarns, beads. The pearls surrounding the prayer card of Mary are likely French faux pearls of that era. Of course, this charming work of art was found in France.
Very good to excellent for age and type. The silk embroidery sampler is not only charming and elegantly sewn, it is perfectly preserved, as well, within the 1" depth of the shadow box frame. A couple of the added berries toward the floral bottom of frame's ornamentation have come loose from their stems, but nearly all of her original composition remains beautiful and in place. Tiny cross stitch and opulent long-stitch embroidery expertly executed, showing young Jenny to be a very accomplished child at her needle arts. Lovingly framed and preserved, it is now 167 years old. The frame does shown some loss to appliqué at corners. One can do restoration, if desired. I've had this one for 15 years or more, brought from France. Linen is beautifully stretched, and there is a framer's stamp on back, likely from when it might have been cleaned, or reglazed, and sealed up from back to prevent any dust. I always intended to do the frame restoration. I'm leaving it to the next owner. Pardon the glare on the glass.
