PROBABLY BRITISH PICTORIAL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk on linen, top half with a four-row verse on virtue flanked by trees above a large flower arrangement in vase, two bugs, and three sheep walking in grass, lower half signed "In all Misfortunes, this Advantage lies; / They make us Humble, and they make us Wife: / Harriot Unstead Work Age 10 Years / 1797", below with a crown over "GR" initials and flower sprigs over a finely executed scene featuring two Revolutionary Army-type soldiers in red coats guarding a tower, all encompassed by a scrolling flowering-vine border. Housed under glass backed with acid free paper in a 19th century frame. This lot includes genealogical research on the maker's identity. Dated 1797. 12 1/2" x 17 1/4" sight, 14 1/2" x 19 3/8" OA. Good to very good visual condition with toning and some scattered holes to linen, scattered losses to thread notably to outer sawtooth border, some light fading and fugitive color to thread, frame with wear, some chipping, and unbacked causing the sampler to sit slight loose with tape supports. Not examined out of frame. Provenance: From the collection of Nick Routson, Phoenix, AZ. Catalogue Note: Possibly identified as Harriet Unstead of Reigate, Surrey, England, who was christened on November 15, 1786. She was one of at least 12 children born to parents William Unstead (1759-1836) and Mary Cole (1759-1806).