Samplers can be found dating back to the 16th century, but most samplers date from the 19th century, although 17th and 18th century examples can be found.

Their purpose was to teach girls from as young as 9 or 10 and young women a variety of sewing stiches through instruction and practice, in the era before examples were available in printed magazines and books. They also were an aid to teaching the embroiderer the alphabet and numerals - most samplers include both of these in the lower section.

Samplers often carry the name of the embroiderer and the date. Sometimes the age of the embroiderer is given and occasionally the name of her house or school. This information adds interest to the piece, and can also affect the value, particularly if it verifies that the sampler was completed in Australia.

Samplers were sewn on linen and wool or silk threads were more...

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A Victorian needlework sampler depicting Abraham sacrificing…

Victorian Sampler: Abraham Sacrificing Isaac & Angel Appearing

A Victorian needlework sampler depicting Abraham sacrificing Isaac and the appearance of an angle, the reverse with a hand written note by Frank Robertson, Melbourne, January, 1895, stating that it was done by his Great Great Grandmother, framed and…

A late George III sampler, embroidered in autumn tones with…

Autumn Sampler by Eliza Wisley Coward, 1810

A late George III sampler, embroidered in autumn tones with house, trees, figures, animals, insects, ship and a floral border. Signed and dated Eliza Wisley Coward aged 11yrs 1810, in oak frame under glass. 52.5 x 40 cm

18th century sampler worked with petit point cross stitch,…

Elizabeth Webb Cabburn's 18th Century Petit Point Sampler

18th century sampler worked with petit point cross stitch, estate manor houses and gardens by Elizabeth Webb Cabburn, born at great Marlow 1792, 47 x 42 cm

A sampler by Eliza Brinton, 1824, 47 x 40 cm

Eliza Brinton's Sampler, 1824

A sampler by Eliza Brinton, 1824, 47 x 40 cm

A 19th century sampler by Mary Ann Morgan, 1820, 40 x 32 cm

Mary Ann Morgan's 1820 Sampler

A 19th century sampler by Mary Ann Morgan, 1820, 40 x 32 cm

A sampler by Elizabeth Stembridge, 1833, 32 x 33 cm

1833 Sampler by Elizabeth Stembridge

A sampler by Elizabeth Stembridge, 1833, 32 x 33 cm

A sampler by Mary Ann Vale aged 7, July 1835, 41.5 x 30 cm

Mary Ann Vale Sampler, July 1835

A sampler by Mary Ann Vale aged 7, July 1835, 41.5 x 30 cm

A sampler by Margaret Charles, 1844, 28 x 19 cm

Margaret Charles Sampler, 1844

A sampler by Margaret Charles, 1844, 28 x 19 cm

A Georgian silk sampler by Ann Bolding, 1785, 37 x 30 cm

Georgian Silk Sampler by Ann Bolding, 1785

A Georgian silk sampler by Ann Bolding, 1785, 37 x 30 cm

A sampler with impressive pictorial needle work by Maria Le…

Maria Le Leria's Impressive Pictorial Sampler (or Pictorial Needlework Sampler)

A sampler with impressive pictorial needle work by Maria Le Leria, 1858, 54 x 47 cm

A sampler by Elizabeth Atherton, 1834 in a rosewood frame, 43 x…

Elizabeth Atherton's 1834 Sampler in Rosewood Frame

A sampler by Elizabeth Atherton, 1834 in a rosewood frame, 43 x 33 cm

A sampler with floral border by Sarah Ann McKean, 19th century,…

Floral Sampler by Sarah Ann McKean (19th Century)

A sampler with floral border by Sarah Ann McKean, 19th century, 43 x 34 cm

A fine sampler, silk and linen by Mary Ingram aged 13, 1839, 40…

Mary Ingram's Silk and Linen Sampler, 1839

A fine sampler, silk and linen by Mary Ingram aged 13, 1839, 40 x 32 cm

A Georgian sampler by Sarah Watts, 1789, 40 x 29 cm

Georgian Sampler by Sarah Watts, 1789

A Georgian sampler by Sarah Watts, 1789, 40 x 29 cm

Antique sampler dated 1850, 27 cm x 35 cm

1850 Antique Sampler - 27cm x 35cm

Antique sampler dated 1850, 27 cm x 35 cm

A needlework sampler depicting Adam &Eve by Mary Ann Naylor,…

Mary Ann Naylor's Adam & Eve Sampler (1851)

A needlework sampler depicting Adam &Eve by Mary Ann Naylor, Aged 9 years, 1851, later framed and glazed. 44 x 49 cm

Victorian needlework sampler with ornate design depicting…

Victorian Sampler with Ornate Design and Poem (1848)

Victorian needlework sampler with ornate design depicting plants, birds and children, a poem to bottom centre, dated 1848, 53 cm x 43.5 cm (frame)

Victorian needlework sampler 'In Memory of Ruth Whitehead',…

Ruth Whitehead Memorial Sampler

Victorian needlework sampler 'In Memory of Ruth Whitehead', dated 1849, 46.5 cm x 40 cm

Framed antique embroidered sampler by Emily Wood aged 8 years,…

Emily Wood's Antique Sampler

Framed antique embroidered sampler by Emily Wood aged 8 years, 26 cm x 34 cm approx.

Victorian needlework sampler with a centre poem, dated 1853, 38…

1853 Victorian Sampler with Poem

Victorian needlework sampler with a centre poem, dated 1853, 38 cm x 35 cm approx (frame)

Victorian needlework sampler with The Lord's Prayer, dated 1856,…

1856 Victorian Sampler with Lord's Prayer

Victorian needlework sampler with The Lord's Prayer, dated 1856, 37 cm x 47 cm approx (frame)

A rare 1780 'Map of England & Wales by Martha Wiggins' sampler,…

1780 Map of England & Wales Sampler

A rare 1780 'Map of England & Wales by Martha Wiggins' sampler, worked in coloured threads for the various counties, Cheshire, Derby, York, etc., their names in black thread, various sea's and channel's further detailed, an outer border of latitude and…

A Victorian sampler in contemporary frame

Victorian Sampler in Modern Frame

A Victorian sampler in contemporary frame

A Victorian child's needlework sampler by Norah G Stilwell,…

Victorian Child's Sampler by Norah G Stilwell (1880)

A Victorian child's needlework sampler by Norah G Stilwell, Hilfield, Yateley, circa 1880, 40 x 30 cm

A 1792 George III map sampler by Elizabeth Slade, 'A Map of…

1792 Map Sampler by Elizabeth Slade

A 1792 George III map sampler by Elizabeth Slade, 'A Map of England & Wales', each province named together with the various Channels, etc., floral vine border, worked in coloured threads including soft tones of red, yellow, gold, black, etc., named and…

A Victorian child's sampler by Mary Ann Crack. 37 cm high, 31.5…

Mary Ann Crack's Victorian Sampler

A Victorian child's sampler by Mary Ann Crack. 37 cm high, 31.5 cm wide

A framed sampler signed Ann Bond

Ann Bond's Sampler

A framed sampler signed Ann Bond

A framed English sampler by Ellen Hobson 1827

Ellen Hobson's 1827 English Sampler

A framed English sampler by Ellen Hobson 1827

A pair of Regency samplers signed Sarah Markham 1840 48 cm x 31…

Regency Samplers by Sarah Markham (1840)

A pair of Regency samplers signed Sarah Markham 1840 48 cm x 31 cm

A framed sampler dated 1889. 33 x 43 cm

1889 Sampler in Frame

A framed sampler dated 1889. 33 x 43 cm

A framed sampler signed Elizabeth Ling, 1869. 37 x 28 cm

Elizabeth Ling Sampler, 1869

A framed sampler signed Elizabeth Ling, 1869. 37 x 28 cm

A 19th century wool needlework sampler dated 1844. 47 x 42 cm

1844 Wool Needlework Sampler

A 19th century wool needlework sampler dated 1844. 47 x 42 cm

Mary Ann Jones, cross stitch alphabet sampler framed, even…

Cross Stitch Alphabet Sampler on Linen Frame

Mary Ann Jones, cross stitch alphabet sampler framed, even weave linen

Early 19th century needlework sampler, c.1811

1811 Needlework Sampler

Early 19th century needlework sampler, c.1811

18th century needlework sampler dated 1790

1790 Sampler Needlework

18th century needlework sampler dated 1790

Early 19th century needlework sampler, framed

19th Century Needlework Sampler in Frame

Early 19th century needlework sampler, framed

The Lord's Prayer needlework sampler, 19th century

19th Century Lord's Prayer Sampler

The Lord's Prayer needlework sampler, 19th century

Early 19th century needle work sampler, framed

19th Century Sampler in Frame

Early 19th century needle work sampler, framed

19th century needlework sampler, framed in maple

19th Century Maple Framed Needlework Sampler

19th century needlework sampler, framed in maple

Early 19th century needlework sampler, framed

19th Century Needlework Sampler in Frame

Early 19th century needlework sampler, framed

19th century framed needlework sampler in birdseye maple

Birdseye Maple Sampler

19th century framed needlework sampler in birdseye maple

Antique framed needlework sampler, 'Janet Denniston Aged Nine',…

Janet Denniston Sampler, Antique Framed Needlework

Antique framed needlework sampler, 'Janet Denniston Aged Nine', 45 cm x 34 cm

An early colonial sampler by Isabel Buis, age 9, Van Diemens…

Isabel Buis' Colonial Sampler in Huon Pine Frame

An early colonial sampler by Isabel Buis, age 9, Van Diemens Land April 16,1839, within a huon pine frame, 29.5 cm high, 24 cm wide

A needlework sampler by Mary Allen Reibey, Ellinthorp Hall Van…

Mary Allen Reibey's Needlework Sampler, Ellinthorp Hall 1827

A needlework sampler by Mary Allen Reibey, Ellinthorp Hall Van Diemen's Land, dated 1827, 50 x 46 cm. Note: George Carr Clark (1789-1863), settler, was born on 18 February 1789, the fourth son and seventh child of Thomas Clark (1750-1832) and his wife Ann…

A needlework sampler by Helen E. Dunlop, Australian, dated 1867,…

Helen Dunlop's 1867 Australian Sampler

A needlework sampler by Helen E. Dunlop, Australian, dated 1867, further stitched 'Born in Melbourne Australia Jan. 1854', 62 cm high, 48.5 cm wide

Early 19th century sampler worked in cotton by Jane Furnish 13…

Jane Furnish's 1801 Sampler

Early 19th century sampler worked in cotton by Jane Furnish 13 years of age 1801

Early 19th century rosewood framed sampler worked by Maragret S…

Rosewood Sampler by Margaret S Bruce

Early 19th century rosewood framed sampler worked by Maragret S Bruce in cotton

Anna Siorey, A Sampler: Dated November 1824, 54 x 45 cm

1824 Sampler by Anna Siorey

Anna Siorey, A Sampler: Dated November 1824, 54 x 45 cm

A Victorian sampler in a Burr Elm frame. Signed Hannah Hill and…

1848 Victorian Sampler in Burr Elm Frame

A Victorian sampler in a Burr Elm frame. Signed Hannah Hill and dated 1848. 18 cm x 18 cm

A superb 19th century sampler signed Mary Anne Preston. Aged…

Mary Anne Preston's 1822 Sampler

A superb 19th century sampler signed Mary Anne Preston. Aged six in1822

A fine Georgian silk on linen sampler, 1813, embroiderer Louisa…

Georgian Silk Sampler by Louisa Cock (1813)

A fine Georgian silk on linen sampler, 1813, embroiderer Louisa Cock. Richly and delicately worked with cross stitch and crewelwork depicting a poem, house and a pond complete with ducks, flower filled urns, insects and exotic birds, surrounded by a…

An unusual linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Ruth Hodges' 1818 Cross-Stitch Sampler

An unusual linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, early 19th century, worked by Ruth Hodges and dated 1818. 35 cm high, 31.5 cm wide

A Victorian linen cross-stitch momento mori needlework sampler,…

Victorian Momento Mori Sampler, 1864

A Victorian linen cross-stitch momento mori needlework sampler, English, 19th century, dated 1864. 25 cm high, 22 cm wide

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1835 William IV Cross-Stitch Sampler by A. Jackson

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by A. Jackson and dated 1835. 33 cm high, 33 cm wide

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1847 Victorian Needlework Sampler by Fanny Sawyer

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Fanny Sawyer and dated 1847. 30.5 cm high, 33 cm wide

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1833 William IV Sampler by Elizabeth Lubben

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Elizabeth Lubben and dated 1833. 21 cm high, 21 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

George III Needlework Sampler, 1793

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Sally May and dated 1793. 32.5 cm high, 31 cm wide

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1838 Cross-Stitch Sampler by Eliza Ann Thompson

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Eliza Ann Thompson and dated 1838. 32 cm high, 32 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework momento mori sampler,…

Regency Cross-Stitch Memento Mori Sampler, Dated 1822

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework momento mori sampler, English, 19th century, dated 1822. 40 cm high, 31 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Ann Hill's 1804 Needlework Sampler

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Ann Hill at M. Chapmans school and dated 1804. 44 cm high, 30 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Georgian Cross-Stitch Sampler by Harriot Rodford (1792)

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Harriot Rodford and dated 1792. 46 cm high, 20.5 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th…

Regency Linen Cross-Stitch Sampler by Caroline Rylands (1822)

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Caroline Rylands and dated 1822. 49 cm high, 51.5 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

George III Sampler, 1781

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Frances Macculloh and dated 1781. 40 cm high, 44 cm wide

A Queen Anne silk and linen needlework sampler, English, early…

Queen Anne Sampler, 1704

A Queen Anne silk and linen needlework sampler, English, early 18th century, worked by Sarah Musgrave and dated 1704. 36 cm high, 33.5 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th…

Regency Linen Cross-Stitch Sampler, 1825

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Jean Angus and dated 1825. 31.5 cm high, 31.5 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

George III Sampler by Elizabeth Garrett, 1817

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Elizabeth Garrett and dated 1817. 36 cm high, 31 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

George III Needlework Sampler by Jane Cary, 1818

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Jane Cary and dated 1818. 43.5 cm high, 40 cm wide

A William and Mary linen cross-stitch needlework sampler,…

William & Mary Linen Sampler, English 1700

A William and Mary linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, dated 1700. 104 cm high, 23 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

George III Sampler by Sarah Browne, 1799

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Sarah Browne and dated 1799. 46 cm high, 30 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

18th Century George III Sampler by Mary Fetherston

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Mary Fetherston and dated 1779. 38 cm high, 31 cm wide

A linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century,…

19th Century English Cross-Stitch Sampler by Jane Hearn

A linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Jane Hearn. 46 cm high, 32 cm wide

A George II linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

18th Century English Needlework Sampler by Margret Gatis

A George II linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Margret Gatis and dated 1711. 66 cm high, 21 cm wide

A Charles I linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

17th Century Charles I Sampler by Elizabeth Henderson (1639)

A Charles I linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 17th century, worked by Elizabeth Henderson and dated 1639. 93 cm high, 20 cm wide

A Charles II linen cross-stitch needlework and lace sampler,…

17th Century English Needlework Sampler by Elizabeth Gray Owen

A Charles II linen cross-stitch needlework and lace sampler, English, 17th century worked by Elizabeth Gray Owen and dated 1680. 53 cm high, 20 cm wide

A Charles II linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Charles II Sampler by Mary Dows, 1669

A Charles II linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 17th century, worked by Mary Dows and dated 1669. 76 cm high, 21 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Georgian Cross-Stitch Sampler, Dated 1768

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, dated 1768. 40 cm high, 35 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,19th…

Regency Temple Sampler by Hannah Summerbell (1829)

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,19th century, Solomons Temple worked by Hannah Summerbell and dated 1829. 52 cm high, 46 cm wide

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1848 Victorian Cross-Stitch Sampler by Elizabeth Claggett

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Elizabeth Claggett and dated 1848. 40 cm high, 33 cm wide

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

1843 Cross-Stitch Sampler by Mary Ann Claggett

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Mary Ann Claggett and dated 1843 40.5 cm high, 31.5 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th…

Regency Linen Cross-Stitch Sampler, 1821

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Ann Dobson and dated 1821. 35 cm high, 30 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Hannah Athertson 1813 Sampler

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Hannah Athertson and dated 1813. 67 cm high, 54 cm wide

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

18th Century George III Sampler by B. Vickers (1777)

A George III linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 18th century, worked by B. Vickers and dated 1777. 44 cm high, 36 cm wide

A linen cross-stitch needlework map sampler, English, 18th…

18th Century English Needlework Map Sampler

A linen cross-stitch needlework map sampler, English, 18th century, worked by Katherine Skipp and dated 1787. 55 cm high, 46 cm wide

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

William IV Sampler by Eliza Smith, 1830

A William IV linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Eliza Smith and dated 1830. 37.5 cm high, 32 cm wide

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English,…

Elizabeth Sawyer's 1838 Cross-Stitch Sampler

A Victorian linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Elizabeth Sawyer and dated 1838. 31 cm high, 33 cm wide

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th…

Regency Cross-Stitch Sampler by Mary Bagshaws (1824)

A Regency linen cross-stitch needlework sampler, English, 19th century, worked by Mary Bagshaws and dated 1824. 61 cm high, 50 cm wide

Mounted antique sampler, 'Elizabeth Davies Aged 14 1888', 52 cm…

1888 Elizabeth Davies Sampler

Mounted antique sampler, 'Elizabeth Davies Aged 14 1888', 52 cm x 40.5 cm approx

English Sampler 1878, sewn and 'signed by Martha Cutts', 1878.…

Martha Cutts' 1878 Sewn English Sampler

English Sampler 1878, sewn and 'signed by Martha Cutts', 1878. Features dogs, basket of flowers alphabet and numbers

Antique English sampler, Mary Wheatley dated 1808, approx 30 cm…

1808 Mary Wheatley Sampler

Antique English sampler, Mary Wheatley dated 1808, approx 30 cm x 32 cm

An early 19th century needlework sampler by Jane Flowers,…

Jane Flowers' 1824 Needlework Sampler

An early 19th century needlework sampler by Jane Flowers, September 1824. Height 43.5 cm. Width 32 cm

An early 19th century needlework sampler by Ann Flowers age 7…

Ann Flowers' Sampler, 1814

An early 19th century needlework sampler by Ann Flowers age 7 years. In a contemporary frame, small faults. Height 2.9 cm. Width 2.9 cm

Selection of framed antique French Brittany lace work panels,…

Antique French Brittany Lace and Engravings Collection

Selection of framed antique French Brittany lace work panels, antique engraving, sampler etc (5)

Antique Needle work sampler, Ann Rachell Hicks Aged 5 Years…

Ann Rachell Hicks' Needlework Sampler, 1800

Antique Needle work sampler, Ann Rachell Hicks Aged 5 Years April the 3rd 1800, approx 24 cm x 25.5 cm

Framed sampler 1884

1884 Sampler in Ornate Frame

Framed sampler 1884

Framed sampler

Artful Sampler Frame

Framed sampler

A Victorian sampler of traditional form with flowers and poem,…

Victorian Flower Sampler by Mary Tickford, 1850

A Victorian sampler of traditional form with flowers and poem, signed Mary Tickford, aged 12, 1850. In a bird's eye maple frame. Height 51.5 cm. Width 41.5 cm