A GEORGE III sampler, from a Wiltshire country house, is being sold at a Dorset auction in its specialist sampler and textile auction. 

The sampler was worked by 11-year-old Mary Knight in 1811 and incorporates a a country house. 

Its family – a Royal Naval officer standing by his ship, a mother with two children, pets, animals and trees, all within a floral meander border – has survived in good condition for over the past 200 years. 

The owner, whose family had been in the Grade II listed house for more than 100 years, took the difficult decision to downsize. 

The sampler will be auctioned at Charterhouse in Sherborne on January 3. 

Auctioneer Richard Bromwell said: “We have sold a vast array of items from this Wiltshire country house throughout the year, from Asian Art to silver in our range of specialist auctions. 

“And it seems quite fitting the last item from this lovely country house is of a sampler showing another lovely country house.” 

Now entered into the Charterhouse specialist auction of textiles and samplers it is estimated to sell for £200 to £400. 

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for home visits, advice and valuations on single items, collections and complete house contents at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or via rb@charterhouse-auction.com.