Monday, March 24, 2014

18th Century and Manifesto

This picture has been recently floating around sampler sites on Facebook.  I must give credit to Mary Jenkins blog.  I you are not of follower of this blog, it is well worth your time.  I thought I'd post it here for some of you who may not have seen it.  I think it must be the inspiration piece for Scarlet Letter's Manifesto.

Mary says

The first one is dated 1738 and the second 1746 - so what happened in that eight years?  Well they may have moved house, as the first house is rather grand with a formal garden at the side and a park with deer and  peacocks.  There are nine figures, all engaged in interesting activities and one empty cradle indicating the death of a child. 

Here is a second picture
Mary continues to say

The second picture has less content but tells a different tale.  The houses are less grand, the three ladies are still engaged in same same pursuits as before, but now there are three empty cradles, one indicating the death of twins.  All rather sad, but very typical of family life in the 18th century.

Both needleworks were auctioned in Sotheby's New York this week, both had a high estimated value, the first 60 to 80 thousand dollars and the second a bit cheaper 50 to 70 thousand.  Only the first one sold, for $53,000,  the second was withdrawn as it obviously did not reach it's reserve. Such a shame if they are go to different collectors, but maybe a deal was done after the auction?

Here is my pitiful progress on  Manifesto.  I have folded the unstitched linen underneath.  It is depressing to see how far I have to go.  Since I love horses so,  I do wish that the man on the horse figure had been incorporated in Manifesto.

It is not quite this dark, this picture was taken without the flash.

I have moved around a couple of samplers again.  I have never really had the chance to enjoy Hannah Pepper, who is one of my favorites.  I moved her from above the fireplace in the kitchen to over this little desk in the family room, across from where I sit and stitch, so I can really enjoy her!  Anne Maria Clark is now in the kitchen.  The beautiful antique frame was a gift from my dear friend.

It is supposed to snow tonight!!  Will this winter ever end?
Til" next time...
Melinda

16 comments:

  1. Thank you for the information on the samplers. Interesting the second was withdrawn. Wonder where they will turn up?
    You have completed some fantastic samplers!

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  2. Thank you for posting Mary's link and all the great info! Great idea to move your samplers around once in a while! A new location to view it also probably brings a new perspective to the one you swapped her for.

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  3. Melinda,
    Those samplers are breathtaking, but so is your Manifesto. I think you are doing great...it's not like you are not working on many other projects.
    This sure is the winter that will never end.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  4. Your Manifesto is amazing. Fireplace in your kitchen? How nice!

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  5. Amazing progress! It is looking lovely.

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  6. You have done so much on Manifesto. It's so gorgeous! Love the possible originals too. Hannah Pepper is wonderful! I'm sick of snow. We're getting it tomorrow and tomorrow night. Ugh.

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  7. Manifesto is looking great! I love that site,
    So nice to move your samplers around so that you can spend some time with them.
    I hope that the weather guys are wrong!!

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  8. Morning Melinda, so beautiful, your work is wonderful as is the sampler, Hugs Francine.

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  9. That was a very interesting read on the Manifestos. Yours is coming along nicely but know what you mean about what is left to do as I get that way about rugs too.

    No Melinda, I'm beginning to think this winter will never end. But when it does it will probably go from snow to hot and humid in a week.

    Saundra

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  10. Good morning Melinda,your manifesto is amazing! Love the antique samplers and the info on them.Snow id falling here as I type.Have a blessed day.Hugs,Jen

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  11. Your Manifesto is looking gorgeous Melinda! And those other two -- wow. Love the horseback rider as well. Great idea to rotate some samplers and...I'm envious of your fireplace in the kitchen!!

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  12. Wow, those two samplers are incredible! Thank you for sharing the pictures and information. Your progress looks great. Too big for me to even fathom.

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  13. Your work simply amazes me. It is wonderful !!!! I hope winter does end soon for all of you who have been experiencing the never-ending winter.

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  14. interesting reading on a possible Manifesto inspiration. Yours is just gorgeous. I missed congratulating you on your two beautiful framed piece. I have always loved "M" and hope to do it one day. I have the kit with silk all ready. AM Clark is lovely as well. Hope Spring will be coming to you soon. Mel

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  15. Love your Manifesto and also love your change to Spring on your farm . That tree in front with the flowers coming out is gorgeous.

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  16. This stitch is very time consuming, but worth it I did think that I would never get it done 15 months it was the only thing that I worked on you should see the stash that I bought because that made me very happy to at least think about something else to stitch

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