Two Needlework Samplers

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Each Dated, "1807"

the first, bearing the inscription, "Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Polly Dunham Obit Feb 2th 1800/ Performed by Lydia C. Dunham Holmes Hole July 7th 1807," and the second, bearing the inscription, "Sac to the memory of IL. Luce/BF. Luce," and with handwritten note on verso, "To Isabelle Dunham Luce [1925-1997] from Grandma Elizabeth Nichola Luce/ Sept. 26, 1937," both worked with silk threads on a linen ground, framed.

17 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches and 12 1/4 x 16 3/4 inches.

Provenance:

Property from the Collection of D. Koepsell.

Note:

Both of Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Lydia Chace Dunham (1796-1838) was the daughter of Thomas and Polly Dunham, and Maria P. Luce was the daughter of Abijah and Mary Lambert Luce. Maria's needlework memorializes two brothers: John L. Luce who died in 1800 at the age of 16 in England, and Benjamin Franklin Luce who died in 1806 at the age of 3.

Both hand-sewn to fabric ground, scattered areas of discoloration, some light fading and foxing to larger work. Larger work with minor linen loss / slight area of fraying to upper left side; smaller needlework with slight bleed at "Luce" and crown device.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Lynda Cain

VP, Head of Department, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

[email protected]267.414.1237

Lynda Cain serves as a Vice President of Freeman's and is the Head of Department for American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts.
She specializes in American furniture and decorative arts, Native American art, American folk art, and Pennsylvania furniture and decorative arts.
Cain joined Freeman's in 2001 as the company's first American furniture and decorative arts specialist. She began her career in American Decorative Arts as assistant curator at the Detroit Historical Museum. In 1984 she became curator of costume at the Detroit Historical Museum. In 1986, she relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts and switched from museum work when she joined the American Furniture and Decorative Art Department at Skinner Inc., Bolton and Boston, Massachusetts. Before leaving New England in 1997, she had the great pleasure of directing the cataloguing project of the Folk Art Collection of Nine Fletcher and Bertram K. Little at Cogswell’s Grant, Essex, Massachusetts for the Society of the Preservation of New England Antiquities, now Historic New England. Ms. Cain joined the cast of the popular PBS series Antiques Roadshow in Season 19.
Growing up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she was greatly influenced by the rich collections of American paintings, furniture, and decorative arts held by Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. She notes her good fortune of working in our two great “attic states:” Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Each Commonwealth has tremendous inventory of historic material, great institutions, and citizens who treasure their inherited and collected items. Cain appears on the television Antiques Roadshow as an appraiser of decorative and folk arts.

American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

Two Needlework Samplers

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup