Sampler Art Appraisal

Framed Noah's Ark 'All Creatures Great and Small' Needlepoint Sampler

This item is a framed needlework sampler featuring a whimsical depiction of Noah's Ark. The central motif is a stylized red birdhouse-style ark containing various animals including giraffes, elephants, zebras, and birds. It is executed in a folk-art style common in the late 20th century (likely 1980s-1990s). The piece is worked on an aida cloth background with a border containing the religious/poetic text 'All creatures Great and Small... the Good Lord loves them all.' The embroidery utilizes a palette of muted primary colors including barn red, sage green, and earthy tan. The construction appears to be cross-stitching with some backstitched details for text and outlines. It is professionally matted with a dark forest green upper mat and a thin maroon inner mat, housed in a simple, flat-profile black composite or wood frame. A small white price or inventory tag is visible in the upper right corner of the glass. The fabric exhibits slight rippling, suggesting it may need re-tensioning. There is no visible maker's mark or signature on the front, which is typical for hobbyist-level needlework of this era. Overall condition appears good with no significant fading, though the frame shows some minor dust and superficial wear at the corners.