Anybody know anything about antique tapestry? Restoration?

[TheVTCGuy]

If you are in to Antiques, you know what a “Sampler” is. I am far from an expert but from my understanding, up until the middle of the 20th century, it was a common form of decoration in a home. It was a needlework, usually completed by young ladies as they finished schooling and or training on household responsibilities of a young woman, like knitting. It was displayed as almost a diploma for the family to show off their children’s accomplishment. There were no diplomas or pictures of high school football games or proms back in those days, so a sampler it was. Anyway, I purchased one in Dublin a few years back, it is in need of a restoration, but I know nothing about getting it done. I have written a company in New York and hope to hear some options, but does anyone have any knowledge of such things? It is not worth much of anything monetarily, but I treasure the item. It was done by a young lady named Sarah Staniforth and is dated 1810. It has a nice poem, the alphabet and other images and I would like to see it returned to a nice appearance. Anybody else collect samplers?

[Etschell]

i only know about antique shrubbery.

ni ni ni ni.

[spoilsofwar01]

Hi Paul, I'm very much into Antiques and Cool Junk, I've been fortunate to own and trade in all manner of items including a sampler that was utilised as a fire screen, in most cases if its behind glass then leave well alone as its stable, by opening the frame you may cause more problems, check with local museums as they will have a team of restorers and more reputable contacts than the internet can provide. Hope this helps.

[chappuy1750]

That is fantastic! My aunt made a sampler for my wife and me as a wedding present. The detail is incredible and the amount of work that went into it is almost incomprehensible.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01

Hi Paul, I'm very much into Antiques and Cool Junk, I've been fortunate to own and trade in all manner of items including a sampler that was utilised as a fire screen, in most cases if its behind glass then leave well alone as its stable, by opening the frame you may cause more problems, check with local museums as they will have a team of restorers and more reputable contacts than the internet can provide. Hope this helps.

Thanks H, It is in pretty rough shape, I’d like to read it. I am hoping to hear back from a restore company in New York.

[Spectre38]

Paul,
Contact a reputable museum and ask who they use for their textile restoration and preservation. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

[AzPaul]

Know a little about Whitman's Samplers, does that count?

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

Know a little about Whitman's Samplers, does that count?

Your first name CAN NOT be Paul!!!!!!!

[MILGAUSS88]

I agree with leaving it in the frame, and leave well enough alone.
The thread can get brittle and there is nothing you can do outside of replacing.

It has been around 200 years and will in all likely hood outlast both of us.
To much opportunity to do more harm than good, by anyone trying to repair it.

[MILGAUSS88]

So, here is my sampler story.

I went to an auction, and it had the best sampler I have ever seen. It was the largest I had ever seen, probably 2'x3', it was early and it was American. A trifecta.

It was just too good. So, I took my loupe and took a close look at it too see if I could tell if it was made with new threads. Maybe made in China? So I try to focus in on the threads, (it was framed), and suddenly I realize I can't. There are no threads. It is a poster.

So, I am waiting around for the auction to start and I am standing next to an acquaintance. A lady comes up to us and asks "Are you going to buy that sampler?"
I thought she was talking to me, but she was talking to the guy I was standing with.
He answered, "Well I am sure going to try."
I turn to him and say "You realize that is a poster?" He looked at me puzzled, I could tell he did not comprehend what I just told him. "That is not a sampler. It is a poster of a sampler." His reply, "It is?"

So, he ran up to look at it closer, came back and Said "OMG, thank you. I just dodged a bullet."

Well the sampler sells, I think it brings over $1,000.

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Thanks H, It is in pretty rough shape, I’d like to read it. I am hoping to hear back from a restore company in New York.

Hey Paul, Let me know how you get on, and good luck with the project

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01

Hey Paul, Let me know how you get on, and good luck with the project

Thanks, it just got packed and shipped this morning.

[winst]

Anybody know anything about antique tapestry? Restoration?

It would be classed as an Old Thread - a combination of a lot of old threads actually. Sorry - couldn’t resist!

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by winst

Anybody know anything about antique tapestry? Restoration?

It would be classed as an Old Thread - a combination of a lot of old threads actually. Sorry - couldn’t resist!