Sampler (Spot motif sampler)

Description

This sampler is a close copy of an original made by Elisabeth Bechtel in 1833. This copy is dated 1944, which substitutes for the Elisabeth's initials in the lower right corner. Also, the bottom line of text bearing the inscription “ELISABETH BECHTEL 1833” has been omitted here. Other than those changes, this copy is nearly identical to the original sampler, suggesting that it was copied directly from it, presumably in 1944. This copy was more likely an attempt to faithfully reproduce the original than an attempt to deceive. There are additional subtle differences from the original such as the omission of the letter “y” and the “&” symbol flanking the letter “z” at the end of the lower case alphabet. Some motifs also have slightly less detail than on the original. One of the most significant differences is that the bunch of three flowers below the large eight-pointed star near the bottom right has been simplified to a single flower on the copy piece. Nonetheless, the copy was made by a skilled needleworker and is one of the finest known examples of a Pennsylvania German revival sampler.