Elegant Antique Monogrammed Linen Darning and Mending Sampler handmade primitive brush but he's wonderfully homely

but he's wonderfully homely

and brown paper behind that

This marvelous watercolor of "the dray horse" is one of a group I purchased from a seller in England

I love the look of the metal linings at either end against the wood

cuffs and fishing line are etched into exposed grey stone

Elegant Antique Monogrammed Linen Darning and Mending Sampler handmade primitive brush but he's wonderfully homelyI love a mending sampler, and a darning sampler, and what a crisp, elegant one this one is, white linen, late ish 19th c., Dutch I believe. The mending is white on white (two linen squares sewn on as second layers plus a double border square sewn in white thread), the darning stitiches a pretty soft blue. Detail photos give the best sense, including for being able to see where the linen was pierced in order to be darned. To my eye minimalist