SPANISH EMBROIDERY / NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on linen, several bands of stylized floral and foliate vines and motifs, center left side featuring "M.i.r.O.n. a.[n?].o. / d.e. 1[6?][9?][1?]", further down with "G.V.A.D.A.L / Z.Q.G.V.P.E." and three small alphabet rows along bottom, edges finished with stitching. Housed under glass in a modern frame, backing paper with handwritten note that reads, "Probably Spanish - Note letters M.I. R.O. A.N. D.E. [sic] 1691 - [?] look to the year [...?] Lord 1691. This is how samplers began - tailors practicing stitching for those of the [...?] Purchased 1984 from a woman in Westport who didn't know what this was. Appraised by Cora Ginsburg in 1984...", no documents accompany this lot from that reported appraisal. Spain, or a Spanish Colony. Late 17th century, or possibly later. 18" x 30 1/4" object, 23" x 35" OA.

From an Illinois estate.

Good visual condition with linen having some scattered stains, holes, and mends, thread with some losses and light fading/fugitive color, frame with minor wear. Not examined out of frame.