Il y a pas mal d''années déjà: tout premier essai de création :sampler no. 1 en collaboration avec mon amie Lonneke

My  first  try  at  designing (some  years  ago)  with  the great  help  of  my  friend  Lonneke

I  have  always  had  a little special   place  for  Josuah  and  Caleb the  Grapecarriers

Josuah  et  Caleb  ont  toujours une place  spéciale  chez  moi

A little  bit  of  History :

THE GRAPECARRIERS or JOSUAH AND CALEB OR  THE SPIES (verspieders) FROM CANAAN 

Josuah  succeeded Moise as leader of the Jewish people, and he was the one who led them into Canaan, now called Israel. There are many biblical symbols in Old Dutch samplers. One of the top ten in 18th century samplers is The Grape Carriers: Josuah and Caleb, the Spies of Canaan.

Their story is told in the book of Numeri in the Old Testament:

Moise lead the Jewish people in the desert to the Promised Land. On approaching Canaan, Moise designated 12 men to go and explore and collect information on the inhabitants - their culture - their army and so forth. They were to be courageous and bring back fruit from this land.

Reaching the valley they did find vineyards - they cut one grapevine  that was so heavy that 2 men had to carry it strung on a pole between them When they came back they had different visions of the Land of Canaan. Most of them declared that it could not be conquered because the inhabitants were too mighty too strong. But 2 of them, Joshua and Caleb had another explanation and described the land as "of milk and honey" They were convinced that Canaan was The Promised Land and that God would surely help the Jewish people. They were not believed.

As  punishment God stipulated that  Moise's  people would  wander  another 40  years in  the  desert. The  unbelieving revolted against  God and  died. Only  Josuah   and  Caleb remained  alive.

On  certain  samplers you  can  find  Josuah  and  Caleb carrying  the  grapevine. Sometimes their  initials or  names  are  stitched.

In  symbolism,  the  grapevine represents  Christ and  the  pole represents  the Cross. A  particular  significance is  given  to  the  fact that  sometimes grape  carriers walk  behing  each  other instead  of  facing to  the  front. It  is  said that  the  first  carrier turns  his back  to  the  grape and  thus  disavows Christ -  the  rear  carrier looks  towards the  grape and  will  therefore see  the  Redemptor.

The  first  carrier represents  Judaism;,  and  the  other Christianity. These  two  grapecarriers symbolize Belief - Hope - and  Divine  Love.

Comments

[Annemarieke]

Gigi, I read you on Dijn's blog yesterday. You have a beautiful and interesting blog, with lovely free patterns! Recently I have finished the Quaker a 6 mains: http://stitchlog.web-log.nl/stitchlog/2007/08/quaker_klaaaaar.html.

[dijn]

I was truly touched, to read you on my blog, yesterday, Gigi. Imagine this, me buying your design a couple of years ago, stitching it in a greyish green colour... (I am stitching many samplers at the same time, so I haven't finished it yet), and now writing to you. Just like that. Amazing.
I answered your message in that very same log, you'd have to scroll back I suppose, as that very log dates from 1st of July.

[dourvarc'h]

Une oeuvre exceptionnelle - notamment par la composition du "tableau", la mise en place des personnages,la symbolique lourde des grappes de raisin (bientôt fermentées) pesant sur les épaules de l'humanité... Les couples d'oiseaux stylisés(huppes ou paons) sont également magnifiques ! Une oeuvre d'art accessible à tout le monde... par le sampler. Merci pour cette présentation !!!

[britta]

Hallo Gigi, thank you for your wonderful blog. It is always so inspiring and informative. Hope you are well..
Hugs
Britta

[KimWI]

J'adore ton blog, mon amie. Merci beaucoup! Joshua and Caleb is a great symbol, isn't it? KimWI