BRITISH PICTORIAL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on linen, top with two butterflies and a central crown motif over an excerpt titled "WISDOM" from Proverbs chapter 3, verse 17, which reads, "Her way are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." within a floral frame, below with "1829" date and signature of "Amelia / Boyce." in addition to flowering branches dividing the composition, the lower portion with a detailed depiction of a church / cathedral flanked by two large trees, the one on the left having a large bird perched at the top, the grassy yard featuring scattered figures of a man, a dog, a rooster, and two stag deer, all surrounded by a vine frame and an ornate outer border with various flowers, different vases of flowers at corners. Unframed, currently mounted to fabric on a mat. Dated 1829. 13" x 15 3/4" object, 14 1/4" x 16 7/8" OA.
Catalogue Note: The identity of the maker is undetermined, but there were a number of girls named Amelia Boyce living in England during the time of the making of this sampler. One of the candidates includes Jane Amelia Boyce (1816-1905) born to parents James Boyce (1796-1882) and Jane Squib (1790-1823) of Sandown, Isle of Wight, Hampshire. Another could be Amelia Boyce (1819-1898), whose parents were Thomas Boyce (1779-1833) and Mary Westbrooke (1779-1837) of Erith, Kent. The third candidate is Amelia Jane Boyce (1821-1895) born in Marylebone, London, daughter of Henry Pitcher Boyce (1786-1858) and Lady Amelia Sophia Spencer (1775-1829). The last could potentially be Amelia Boyce (b.1821) born to parents Thomas Boyce (1781-1827) and Jane Littlefield (1793-1876) of Wickham, Hampshire.
This sampler was charted and made into a kit by the National Textile Resource and Research Center (NTRRC), a needlework education group associated with the Valentine Museum from 1970 to 1985.

Deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA to benefit collections care, preservation, and future acquisitions.

Thread in excellent overall condition with some typical fugitive color, linen in fair to good condition with some toning, scattered small holes with some having supportive netting, edges with tears and losses.