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Rarely do we see samplers with such a concentration of folksy motifs. This example has one of the most charming
renderings of Adam & Eve known. It appears Eve is delightfully overwhelmed as Adam offers her a bouquet of
flowers. It is further enhanced with a leaping stag, nineteen birds, eight folksy animals, a huge squirrel, and
a monkey sitting in a chair spinning yarn. At the top is a very decorative swag border supported by three winged
angles. Many of the motifs indicate a Dutch influence and are found on other New York samplers. The sampler is
framed with a flowering vine border. (Note: An almost identical sampler inscribed: MARY TELFORDS WORK IUNE 24 1790 and initialed upper left IW 90 EW & lower left MT MD has been brought to our attention. Both the Wayman and Telford samplers were discovered in east central New Jersey.)
STEPHEN & CAROL HUBER |