TWO 18th century samplers sewn by the sister of Scots poet Robert Burns are set to go up for auction next month.
A needlework sampler is a piece of embroidery worked to demonstrate the maker's skill and mastery in the stitching demonstrated.
The works were made by Isabella Burns, who was the youngest sister of Scotland’s bard.
They will be put under the hammer by Dorset-based auctioneers Charterhouse in a textile auction.
Auctioneer and valuer Richard Bromell said the works were "a proper bit of history hidden away in deepest Dorset".
He added: “They are an amazing discovery found hidden away in an old wooden box at the owners house in deepest Dorset."
They have previously been included in a 1911 exhibition in Glasgow, which had an emphasis on Scottish history and culture.
The main centrepiece of the exhibition was the Palace of History which displayed thousands of items loaned by public and private collections across Scotland, including the two samplers being sold by Charterhouse.
They were loaned for the 1911 exhibition by the Rev George F A MacNaughton from The Manse, Carsphairn, Kirkcudbrightshire in Dumfries and Galloway.
Both samplers still retain their original exhibition labels to the back, and are expected to fetch a modest price – the more expensive of the two still being valued at under £500.
The largest sampler, estimated at £200-400, measures 43 x 20.5 cm and the other, estimated at £100-200, measures 19 x 19.5 cm, and they come to auction from a direct descendant of the Rev George MacNaughton.
Charterhouse are now accepting entries for their forthcoming specialist auctions with textiles, silver, jewellery & watches, Asian Art, coins, medals, stamps and classic motorcycles throughout October, November and December.
The auction will take place on November 3, 2023.
