Ruth Ames produced this beautifully designed sampler with three alphabets and an impeccably worked selection of mirror-image spot motifs worked onto the bottom third of the piece. I must admit that the tree, which is mid center is one that is very original as are the birds sitting on branches of almost a "herringbone" type design. In fact I have never seen either of these presentations on another sampler.

The borders are wonderful! Two sides and the top are identical, while the bottom border is different. The color palate consists of several shades of green and gold silk worked onto an unbleached linen ground. The verse reads:

Virtue alone has that to give
Which makes it worth ones while to live,
But vice alone can that supply,
Which makes it Pain to live or die.

Preliminary research shows that Ruth was born the daughter of Jacob Eames (Ames) and Esther Tay on June 12th 1798 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  The Ames/Eames family variously spelled their names as they saw fit, but research shows they had strong roots in Middlesex County. 

The initials NG appear prominently on the sampler, flanking the tree.  Most likely these were the initials of her instructor.  The sampler has been conservation mounted into a mahogany frame with True Vue glass.
Sight size of the sampler is 16" x 16".

R1H255532A

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