Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Hannah Punderson
(American, 1760 - 1802)
Date1776–1783
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 15 1/2 x 6in. (39.4 x 15.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2006.81.0
DescriptionSampler worked in brown, green, tan, light blue, black and yellow silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground, using cross stitch and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with multiple rows of flowers and geometric designs, including inverted tulips, a greek key design and sawtooth design, with two alphabets and the numbers one to ten over the inscription "HANNAH PUNDERSON". At the bottom are two rows of large, stylized flowers. Each row of flowers, alphabets, numbers, or geometric designs is separated by a narrow border.
The sampler has a 1/4-inch double turned hem on all four sides. It has nail holes and glue residue on all four edges. The sampler is framed (later addition).
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus the numbers 1-10. The letters are upper case block in alphabet number 1, and lower case block in alphabet 2. The letter J is absent from each alphabet. The letter U is absent from alphabet 1 only. Alphabet 2 has a long s. The number 1 looks like an uppercase J.
Stitches: The alphabets, numbers and inscription are worked in cross stitch over two. The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over 2); it also includes tent, long-armed cross, satin, queen (rococo), and Algerian eyelet.
Condition: The sampler has moderate fading. The back edges of the sampler have glue residue. The sampler is now sewn to a linen-lined board and framed in a black and gold painted replaced wooden frame.
The sampler has a 1/4-inch double turned hem on all four sides. It has nail holes and glue residue on all four edges. The sampler is framed (later addition).
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus the numbers 1-10. The letters are upper case block in alphabet number 1, and lower case block in alphabet 2. The letter J is absent from each alphabet. The letter U is absent from alphabet 1 only. Alphabet 2 has a long s. The number 1 looks like an uppercase J.
Stitches: The alphabets, numbers and inscription are worked in cross stitch over two. The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over 2); it also includes tent, long-armed cross, satin, queen (rococo), and Algerian eyelet.
Condition: The sampler has moderate fading. The back edges of the sampler have glue residue. The sampler is now sewn to a linen-lined board and framed in a black and gold painted replaced wooden frame.
Label TextThe long, narrow shape of this sampler harkens back to the style of
samplers produced in England in the seventeenth century. However,
a prominent band of two pale iris blossoms is worked with convincing
naturalism rarely seen on samplers. Their drawing and execution attest to
the maker’s artistic and technical skill, as well as her evident access to a
botanical print source.
The sampler’s color palette—warm reds and browns set off against dark
greens, light creams, and sky blues—is strikingly similar to that used in
silk-embroidered pictures by Prudence Punderson Rossiter, suggesting
that Prudence’s younger sister, Hannah, was the likely maker of the band
sampler.
samplers produced in England in the seventeenth century. However,
a prominent band of two pale iris blossoms is worked with convincing
naturalism rarely seen on samplers. Their drawing and execution attest to
the maker’s artistic and technical skill, as well as her evident access to a
botanical print source.
The sampler’s color palette—warm reds and browns set off against dark
greens, light creams, and sky blues—is strikingly similar to that used in
silk-embroidered pictures by Prudence Punderson Rossiter, suggesting
that Prudence’s younger sister, Hannah, was the likely maker of the band
sampler.
Status
Not on view
