Marking Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Eliza Collis
(American, 1799 - 1866)
Date1806
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 18 x 9in. (45.7 x 22.9cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mary Means Huber
Object number2007.51.2
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in dark green, rust, mint, and dark mauve silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with ten rows of three alphabets, the numbers 1 through 12, and an inscription, over two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Eliza Collis 5". The second inscription is "Grant me Great God a heart to thee/ inclind Increase my faith and rectify/ my mind Teach me betimes to tread thy/ sacred ways And to thy service cons/ ecrate my days". The third inscription is "Eliza Collis Wrought/ this Aged 7 1806". 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 both side edges, and a selvedge on the top and bottom edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, lowercase block in alphabet 2, and uppercase script in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the lowercase alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch over one thread.
Condition: Stitching is missing from letters in the first and second alphabets. The ground has a split in its top edge. The green colored threads have bled onto the ground. The sampler has light to moderate fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on both side edges, and a selvedge on the top and bottom edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, lowercase block in alphabet 2, and uppercase script in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the lowercase alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch over one thread.
Condition: Stitching is missing from letters in the first and second alphabets. The ground has a split in its top edge. The green colored threads have bled onto the ground. The sampler has light to moderate fading. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
