Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sally Howe
(American, 1773 - 1826)
Date1784
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 12 1/8 x 7 5/8in. (30.8 x 19.4cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mary Means Huber
Object number2007.51.1
DescriptionSampler worked in dark greens, dark blue, mint, rust, salmon, cream, fuschia, and black silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with a horizontal geometric design, over five rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9 followed by a zero, over two inscriptions, over a strawberry and vine design at the bottom. The first inscription is "Remember your/ Creator in the days/ Of thy yoth 1784". The second inscription is "Sally Howes Sampl[sic]". Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is a narrow four-sided border.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the bottom and both sides, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets, the numbers 1-7, and the numbers 8 and 9 followed by a zero. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is not present in either alphabet; the letter U is present in the second alphabet; the letter V is not present in the second alphabet. The letter Y is repeated twice in the first alphabet (the first instance is a small uppercase Y after the letter W in the first alphabet; the second instance is in its usual place).
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in tent, queen, Algerian eye, and chain stitches. There are areas of practice stitching.
Condition: The sampler has light to moderate fading. The ground has darkened and has some stains. The dark green color has run in certain places, particularly in the bottom part of the sampler. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the bottom and both sides, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets, the numbers 1-7, and the numbers 8 and 9 followed by a zero. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is not present in either alphabet; the letter U is present in the second alphabet; the letter V is not present in the second alphabet. The letter Y is repeated twice in the first alphabet (the first instance is a small uppercase Y after the letter W in the first alphabet; the second instance is in its usual place).
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in tent, queen, Algerian eye, and chain stitches. There are areas of practice stitching.
Condition: The sampler has light to moderate fading. The ground has darkened and has some stains. The dark green color has run in certain places, particularly in the bottom part of the sampler. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
