Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Miranda Robinson
(American, 1831 - 1903)
Date1839
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground; glass, wood
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 19 x 19in. (48.3 x 48.3cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width inside frame): 17 1/2 x 17 1/2in. (44.5 x 44.5cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 16 7/8 x 16 3/4in. (42.9 x 42.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1990.142.0
DescriptionSampler worked in brick red, medium green, medium blue, cream, light brown, dark brown, dark blue, rust, light green silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with three rows of two alphabets, over the numbers 1 through 17, over four inscriptions, over two horizontal bands of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The first inscription is "Miranda Robinson aged 8 years". The second inscription is "Say Brook July 10 AD 1839". The third inscription is "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand/ At the first efforts of an infants hand." The fourth inscription is "The path of duty is the path of safety". The word "stand" in the third inscription follows a left bracket on the line above where it should be. The first horizontal band of pictorial motifs includes, from left to right, a tri-section heart hanging from a chain, a floral swag, and a double-heart design hanging from a double chain. The second horizontal band of pictorial motifs includes, from left to right, a right-facing bird atop a basket of flowers, a right-facing bird atop a tree, a two-story house with two chimneys, a left-facing bird atop a tree, a tree, a left-facing bird atop a tree that is flanked by two four-legged animals facing each other. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is a primary three-sided border made up of a geometric flower and vine design, and a secondary narrow four-sided border on the outer edges.
The edges of the sampler are not visible. The sampler is in a modern frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-17. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The word "stand" in the third inscription follows a left bracket on the line above where it should be.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads. The word "safety" encroaches the right border.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal to light fading. It is in a modern frame.
The edges of the sampler are not visible. The sampler is in a modern frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-17. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The word "stand" in the third inscription follows a left bracket on the line above where it should be.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads. The word "safety" encroaches the right border.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal to light fading. It is in a modern frame.
Label TextMiranda Robinson’s parents were Connecticut-born free blacks. As
an eight-year-old, Miranda produced this large and accomplished work.
Very few decorative needle works by African American girls are known
and Miranda’s work demonstrates that she was acquainted with both
traditional forms and current fashions, and had access to the necessary
instruction, skills, and materials.
Miranda’s texts include a familiar prayer, and a Biblical saying—“The
path of duty is the path of safety.” Although popular at the time, the
saying might have been particularly appropriate to Miranda’s personal
situation as a free black living in the predominantly white community
of Saybrook.
an eight-year-old, Miranda produced this large and accomplished work.
Very few decorative needle works by African American girls are known
and Miranda’s work demonstrates that she was acquainted with both
traditional forms and current fashions, and had access to the necessary
instruction, skills, and materials.
Miranda’s texts include a familiar prayer, and a Biblical saying—“The
path of duty is the path of safety.” Although popular at the time, the
saying might have been particularly appropriate to Miranda’s personal
situation as a free black living in the predominantly white community
of Saybrook.
Status
Not on view
