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Victorian 'Sewing CV' Sampler Could Fetch Thousands
23 Feb
Summary
- A rare Victorian sampler made by an orphan is up for auction.
- The sampler served as a 'sewing CV' to prove domestic skills.
- It carries an estimated sale price of £1,000 to £2,000.
A rare Victorian needlework sampler, crafted by an orphan known as Dora in the 19th Century, is anticipated to sell for thousands of pounds at auction. This piece of historical textile art served as a 'sewing CV,' demonstrating the maker's domestic skills to prospective employers. The sampler features distinctive red stitching on a cream background, characteristic of George Müller's pioneering orphan homes in Bristol.
Auctioneers estimate the sampler could fetch between £1,000 and £2,000. Described as a significant part of Bristol's history, it embodies the hopes and futures of the young girls who created such items. These samplers were crucial for securing domestic employment, the common career path for young women leaving the orphanage.
Owned by the same Bristol family for three generations, the sampler's exact connection to the Holgate family remains unknown. George Müller's orphanages provided care and education to over 10,000 children in Bristol during his lifetime, with the last home closing in the 1950s. A museum dedicated to George Müller opened in Bristol in 2019.
