Marguerite Marie Pauline Daumas 1805 Reproduction Sampler
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER PATTERN, READY TO DOWNLOAD, BY Couleur Tourterelle

This early French sampler was completed in 1805, under the reign of Napoleon and is the earliest French sampler so far in Meriem Chauvet's collection (Meriem is the collector and designer behind Couleur Tourterelle). The stitcher - whom Meriem managed to trace back - was actually born just after the French revolution, and in the registry, her date of her birth is stated using the revolutionary calendar in effect at the time: “le 2 germinal de l’an IV”, which would correspond to March 22nd 1796 (Germinal was the month when seeds start to germinate).

Another interesting fact about the stitcher is that the she signed her work listing all her given names: Marguerite, Marie and Pauline, her family name, Daumas, her home town (Montpellier in the South of France) and even the name of her instructor, Mademoiselle Vabre. All the letters used are similar and correspond to the Linen-maid's alphabet, the alphabet used at the time for marking house-hold linen, and which young stitchers would start to practice stitching by completing a sampler. Preceeding the signature text is an alphabet and a series of numbers. Notice the alphabet is itself preceded by the "Croix de par Dieu", a special cross that would remind one to make the sign of the cross before reciting the alphabet.

Indeed, the sampler follows the layout typical of the early 19th century in Southern France, with a dominant religious theme. Below the text, the lower part of the sampler features symbols relating to the Catholic faith, as if placing us inside a church facing the altar. 

The altar is indeed in dominant cental position, complete with a pair of candlesticks and the monstrance. The IHS monogram symbolising Jesus Christ (for Iesus Hominum Salvator) is placed above and the holy spirit dove flies below (it is usually the other way round).

The second element to the right is the Passion Cross and all the instruments of the Passion of Christ that are scattered around, each one carrying a special meaning. Finally, the fruit-trees, birds and flowers are a symbolic representation of Paradise.

The chart comes with very detailed explanations of each of the motifs in the sampler. For instance vases with 3 flowers are a symbol of the Holy Trinity. The red hand to the left of the altar is the hand of the high priest who slapped Jesus, the rooster is the one who cried after Peter's denial. Every single element of the sampler is coded.

Regarding stitching, there are a couple of shifted cross stitches, as well as a few cross stitches over a single thread. The design should therefore be stitched over 2 threads. However the designer feels these few stitches could be adapted should you wish to stitch over 1 thread or on Aida fabric. 

The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch and matches all colors of the original sampler (see last photo).

Original Sampler (last photo) worked in cross stitch, over 2 fabric threads. 

Reproduction Sampler stitched using Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC, with cross stitches worked over 2 fabric threads on 40ct linen. Size 11.65 x 11.65 inch (29 x 29 cm).

A cross stitch pattern by Couleur Tourterelle.

>> see more Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Marguerite Marie Pauline Daumas 1805 Reproduction Sampler

Chart size in stitches: 233 x 235 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen from Zweigart ,in color 3009
Stitched size: 11.65 x 11.65 inch (29 x 29 cm)
Stitches: cross stitch over 2 threads, a couple of cross stitches shifted by 1 fabric thread
Chart: Color and B&W, includes one-page chart for Digital stitching
Threads: Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC
Number of colors: 5

Themes: France, 19th century, Montpellier, pupil, christianism
 

>> see all Reproduction sampler patterns with Linenmaid's Alphabet  (all designers)

>> see all Early 19th century Reproduction samplers (all designers)

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