Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Rebecca Marietta Butler
(American, 1788 - 1849)
Date1798
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 11 3/4 x 10 1/4in. (29.8 x 26cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2013.230.0
DescriptionSampler worked in dark greens, pink, medium green, light green, cream, and light brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches and satin stitch. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with five rows of two alphabets, an ampersand, the numbers 1 through 10, then 20, 30, 40, 50, over two inscriptions, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The first inscription is "Rebecca Marietta Butler Aged 9 years / Done in the 23rd year of the Independenc/ of the United States of America AD [one character] 1798". The word "Independenc" encroaches the right border. The second inscription is a literary verse, "Beauty soon grows familiar to the Eye / Virtue alone has Charms that Never Die". The pictorial motifs include four trees with what are probably hills in the middle. The background of the first inscription is solidly stitched. There is a diamond separating the second alphabet and the numbers. Certain lines of alphabet, numbers and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. The sampler has a border of a stylized vine/flower design.
The sampler [appears to have a] double-turned hem on all four edges. [The sampler is mounted on a backing.]
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10 then 20 30 40 50. The letters are uppercase block in the alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in alphabet 1. The letter 'j' is not present in alphabet 2; the letter 'u' is present. The embroiderer uses both the long 's' and the regular 's' in the lowercase alphabet. There is an ampersand between the lowercase alphabet and the numbers, next to the diamond.
Stitches: The sampler is done in cross stitch (over two and over one), and a vertical satin stitch.
Condition: The sampler has some small holes. One horizontal hole below the numbers 30 and 40; one hole at the right edge, running from the right of the 50 to the edge. The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed or permanently mounted. It is stitched to a fabric covered board for mounting purposes.
The sampler [appears to have a] double-turned hem on all four edges. [The sampler is mounted on a backing.]
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10 then 20 30 40 50. The letters are uppercase block in the alphabet 1 and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in alphabet 1. The letter 'j' is not present in alphabet 2; the letter 'u' is present. The embroiderer uses both the long 's' and the regular 's' in the lowercase alphabet. There is an ampersand between the lowercase alphabet and the numbers, next to the diamond.
Stitches: The sampler is done in cross stitch (over two and over one), and a vertical satin stitch.
Condition: The sampler has some small holes. One horizontal hole below the numbers 30 and 40; one hole at the right edge, running from the right of the 50 to the edge. The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed or permanently mounted. It is stitched to a fabric covered board for mounting purposes.
Status
Not on view
