AMN 1790

This small, finely embroidered sampler from 1790 comes from North Germany, more precisely from Altona, a district of Hamburg.

It has a central axis with the cartouche, this time a typical motif from the Vierlande area, held by two angels and the main motif of Adam and Eve's paradise garden. The edge is formed on three sides by a so-called oak leaf border and an alphabet stitched over the entire upper width. Frequently, as also here, there is a motif depicting two large vases of flowers, which we can also find on Dutch samplers.

Rarely we spot a ship and a crawfish. Everyday motifs of the north or motifs with symbolic content?

Is the crawfish a symbol of Christ, for the resurrection of Christ? It changes its armor, the outer shell.

Is the ship a symbol of the last journey of man? Is it the very old symbol for the church? The Christians are on the way to the haven of God, the eternity, is said in the literature.

The original sampler (inventory number: T 310) is part of the impressive collection of the Hamburg Museum (Museum of Hamburg History). It is 35 cm wide and 33 cm high.

Crosses: 242 x 226
Size: 34 x 32 cm
Stitches: Cross stitch