Not one, but two twin samplers worked by a little French girl age seven.
Why two ? Possibly to offer them to her parents, or to each of her grandmothers, we will never know. What we do is that they are both dated 1823, carry the exact same signature at the base “Héloïse Duchat, de 7. Just the top line differs, "Je vous l’offre de tout cœur" (offered to you with all my heart) on the first, and "Je vous l’offre pour un bouquet" (offered to you for a bouquet) on the second sampler.
Both samplers share a similar layout : a large vase in the center surrounded by small flowers motifs, some common to both samplers, others not. The border motif framing the sampler is the same on both works, a marvel of delicacy, one stitched in pink, the other in blue.
This sampler is part of the personal collection of Meriem Chauvet of Couleur Tourterelle. The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch and matches all colors of the original samplers (see the last 2 photos).
Original Samplers (last 2 photos) worked in cross stitch, over 2 fabric threads.
Reproduction Sampler stitched using Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC, with cross stitches worked over 2 fabric threads on 40ct linen.
As the design only features full cross stitches, you can stitch it on any fabric of your choice, including over 1 fabric thread, or on Aida fabric.