Cross Stitch Alphabet Sampler, American, Early 20th Century

A beautifully worked cross stitch alphabet sampler rendered in muted gold, blue, and sage thread on a cream ground, signed at the bottom by Ann Stevens, Aged 8. The delicate floral borders and precise lettering speak to the long tradition of needlework samplers as both learning exercise and quiet domestic art. Framed in a dark carved wood frame, it is an intimate and deeply personal piece with a folk art sensibility.