Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Esther Carrington
(American, 1766 - 1855)
Date1775
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground; glass, wood
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 13 5/8 x 10 3/4in. (34.6 x 27.3cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 11 3/4 x 9 1/8in. (29.8 x 23.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2006.60.1
DescriptionSampler worked in dark green, tan, light blue, light brown, medium brown, gold, dark brown, purple, pink and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with a horizontal stylized band, over seven rows of three alphabets and the numbers 1 through 10, over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The inscription is "Esther Carrington Born March 1/ Ageed [sic] 9 Year 1775". The horizontal band of pictorial motifs includes, from left to right, a plant, a tree, an unidentified object (possibly a bird) atop a large plant, a tree, and a plant. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by various narrow borders. The sampler has a four-sided narrow border.
The sampler has a 2/8 inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is attached to a piece of fabric with stitches in maroon thread. There are three pieces of an unidentified material between the sampler and the fabric backing. The sampler is loose in a later frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, the numbers 1-10, and additional letters or numbers. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is not present in any alphabet; the letter U is present in the second and third alphabets. The letter W is repeated (not consecutively) in the first alphabet; the letter A is in triplicate in the third alphabet; the first two are uppercase block, i.e., AAa. In the second alphabet UV is presented as VU. Number 1 is presented as the letter J. The letters NO in the second alphabet are mostly missing; same with "r" in the third alphabet.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in satin, Algerian eye, outline (or stem), chain and cretan stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on the color. The letters NO in the second alphabet are mostly missing; same with "r" in the third alphabet. The sampler is loose in a frame.
The sampler has a 2/8 inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is attached to a piece of fabric with stitches in maroon thread. There are three pieces of an unidentified material between the sampler and the fabric backing. The sampler is loose in a later frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, the numbers 1-10, and additional letters or numbers. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is not present in any alphabet; the letter U is present in the second and third alphabets. The letter W is repeated (not consecutively) in the first alphabet; the letter A is in triplicate in the third alphabet; the first two are uppercase block, i.e., AAa. In the second alphabet UV is presented as VU. Number 1 is presented as the letter J. The letters NO in the second alphabet are mostly missing; same with "r" in the third alphabet.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in satin, Algerian eye, outline (or stem), chain and cretan stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on the color. The letters NO in the second alphabet are mostly missing; same with "r" in the third alphabet. The sampler is loose in a frame.
Label TextFew signed and dated samplers are known from Connecticut before
the American Revolution, and pictorial examples are even rarer, so this
accomplishment of nine-year-old Esther Carrington is quite unusual. Even
the complexity of the stitches is unusual (most samplers are simply
cross-stitched).
Alphabets are typical parts of samplers, and looking closely reveals the
fluidity of lettering in the period. Notice variations in the two uppercase
alphabets with neither including a J, and only the second has a U,
displayed out of sequence as VU. The lowercase alphabet shows j, u, and
v in standard position.
Notesthe American Revolution, and pictorial examples are even rarer, so this
accomplishment of nine-year-old Esther Carrington is quite unusual. Even
the complexity of the stitches is unusual (most samplers are simply
cross-stitched).
Alphabets are typical parts of samplers, and looking closely reveals the
fluidity of lettering in the period. Notice variations in the two uppercase
alphabets with neither including a J, and only the second has a U,
displayed out of sequence as VU. The lowercase alphabet shows j, u, and
v in standard position.
Status
Not on view
