Ripley Family Coat of Arms
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Lucy Ripley
(American, 1789 - 1846)
TeacherTaught by
Patten school
(American, 1785 - 1825)
Date1804-1805
MediumEmbroidery; silk and metallic thread on a satin-woven silk ground; plain-woven linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 19 1/2 x 16 7/8in. (49.5 x 42.9cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Emily Strickland
Object number1939.8.1
DescriptionRipley Family Coat of Arms worked in shades of dark medium and light green, blue green, cream, red and white silk thread, and silver and gold metallic threads, on a cream satin-woven silk ground, using a long and short stitch and other stitches. At the top is a silver eagle with outstretched wings clutching a swagged garland of roses and leaves in its beak. Below this is a knight's helmet at the top of a shield. The shield, sewn with silver metallic thread, contains a chevron and three rampant lions in gold metallic thread; the chevron is shaded with brown, blue and green thread. The shield is surrounded by a wreath of laurels on stems that are crossed at the bottom. Beneath the shield are three banners, each with a word or name "REGARD", "RIPLEY", and "THE END"; the center banner is over the initials "LR". At the bottom is a swagged garland of colorful white, red and blue flowers.
The coat of arms was originally framed, but is currently unframed and removed from its stretcher. Each edge of the silk is hand-stitched to a strip of plain-woven linen which contains nail holes (original tacks removed). The eagle and each lion are stitched in relief with a padded satin stitch.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is the long and short stitch; it also includes padded satin, and encroaching satin.
Condition: The coat of arms is unframed and not mounted on a stretcher. The silk threads are faded slightly.
The coat of arms was originally framed, but is currently unframed and removed from its stretcher. Each edge of the silk is hand-stitched to a strip of plain-woven linen which contains nail holes (original tacks removed). The eagle and each lion are stitched in relief with a padded satin stitch.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is the long and short stitch; it also includes padded satin, and encroaching satin.
Condition: The coat of arms is unframed and not mounted on a stretcher. The silk threads are faded slightly.
Label TextSeveral features of this coat of arms indicate that Lucy Ripley worked it
while a student at the Patten family school in Hartford: the elegant floral
swags; the crossed laurel branches or palm fronds framing the crest; the
stern motto inserted in the banners, admonishing readers to “REGARD /
THE END”; the somewhat awkwardly drawn shield, and especially, the
raised elements worked in glistening metallic threads over a padding—
three rampant lions in the crest and a spread-winged eagle above.
No known works bear embroidered inscriptions naming the Patten school.
This absence suggests that enough patronage evidently came through word
of mouth and kinship connections to eliminate any need for such labeling.
NotesHistorical Note: Lucy Ripley (1789-1846) embroidered this coat of arms in 1804-1805, probably while she was a student at the Patten School, a girls' school in Hartford, Connecticut.while a student at the Patten family school in Hartford: the elegant floral
swags; the crossed laurel branches or palm fronds framing the crest; the
stern motto inserted in the banners, admonishing readers to “REGARD /
THE END”; the somewhat awkwardly drawn shield, and especially, the
raised elements worked in glistening metallic threads over a padding—
three rampant lions in the crest and a spread-winged eagle above.
No known works bear embroidered inscriptions naming the Patten school.
This absence suggests that enough patronage evidently came through word
of mouth and kinship connections to eliminate any need for such labeling.
Condition Notes: According to notes in the object file, when received at CHS, this pieces was tacked to the edge of a whitewood backboard measuriing 17-1/2 x 14 inches.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
