Antique French Sampler - Dated 1880

A beautifully preserved example of 19th-century French needlework, this 1880 sampler, signed by Pélagie Sèdes, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the education and artistry of a young girl in post-Napoleonic France. Likely created as part of her domestic or convent schooling, the sampler reflects the values of diligence, precision, and moral instruction so often emphasized in the period.

The overall palette is likely composed of beautiful bright colors. Stitch types include cross-stitch, satin stitch, and backstitch, all demonstrating the careful, methodical hand of a young embroiderer.

This sampler serves not only as a decorative textile but also as a historical document — a quiet testament to a young girl's learning, cultural environment, and personal mark left in thread over 140 years ago.

Whether displayed in a frame, archived in a textile collection, or admired for its heartfelt simplicity, this sampler is a charming and tangible piece of 19th-century French heritage.