A young girl’s alphabet sampler Made of cotton. Embroidery featuring two different alphabets, followed by the numbers 1 to 40 (the first four tens only). It is complemented by a series of motifs, including a boat, a windmill, a calvary and various bouquets. Bears the maker’s name and the date ‘MADE BY VIRGINIE MIELLEZ 1823’ at the bottom. 19th century Total height 45.3 cm – Width 49.4 cm Contemporary frame Also included is a piece of embroidery In cotton. It bears the inscription: ‘Dedicated to the most tender of mothers and the most beloved of fathers // Made by Marie // Olivier, aged 11 // years in the year 1858 // At Miss Jalabert’s boarding school’. A butterfly, a dove carrying a twig in its beak, a basket of flowers and two bouquets complete the design. The border is accented with a frieze of arrows, leafy twigs and other motifs… Canvas stretched like a painting. Very fresh colours. Mid-19th century H. 58.9 cm – W. 62.7 cm Stains, discolouration and minor imperfections. Contemporary frame painted in gold.