Buttonhole Sampler, initialed IDA, Germany, 1811
Price: $4200, Sampler size: 9½" x 5½"

This is an exquisite little sampler which demonstrates the fine art of making buttonholes, which, along with darning, was one of the more practical skills taught to samplermakers. While the point of the exercise is the ten buttonholes, the motifs that decorate the center of the sampler vertically are very fine, as well. The vase of flowers, crown, initials and date were very tightly stitched; notice, as well, the impressive variety of whitework around the buttonholes.

Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition; it has been conservation mounted into an early gold leaf frame.