French Samplers

In France samplers are named " marquoir", "marquette" or "abecedaires."These were functional rather than creative past-times. Most of the time it was a work to teach young girls cross- stitch embroidery . From the age of puberty any girl had to prepare her own bridal " trousseau" and to mark each item with her initials .

french sampler mid 19th c.

French Sampler 1911

French sampler with a triple and complete alphabet and embroidered flowers, 1911, initials MF. Complete alphabets were rare: some letters such W or I were considered repetitious because they possess the same form as other letters already embroidered. ( Abecedaries were not art work but embroidery exercises). Traditionally some errors were retained to show humility. Perfection was reserved for God!

Cross-stitch embroidery appeared in Europe between the X and the XIII century. Embroidery was an aristocratic pastime. The lady of the manor reproduced motifs from the rugs brought back by their Lord from the crusades. The use of cross-stitch spread in Europe in the XV century and was considered to be something that every young girl should learn.

This sampler was created by Marie Lemoine at La Fresnaie, her family country home, in 1852. She illustrated it with country scenery and animals.

French sampler by Anne Mazelan 1745. This work is closer to the English style than the typical French style where alphabet is very often an important part of the sampler.