Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Cynthia Pond
(American, 1803 - 1861)
Date1816
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 19 x 16 1/2in. (48.3 x 41.9cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width inside of frame): 18 x 15 1/2in. (45.7 x 39.4cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 17 1/2 x 15in. (43.7 x 36.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Leger
Object number2003.104.1
DescriptionSampler worked in light browns, cream, dark brown, medium brown and gray silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross and Algerian eye stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with eight rows of five alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9, over two inscriptions, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs, over a horizontal stylized strawberry/vine design at the bottom. The first inscription is "Cynthia Pond Burlington/ Her Work Aged 12 Years 1816". The second inscription is "Vain are the hopes of those who think to gain/ This noble treasure without taking pains/ Youth is the time for progress in all arts/ Then use your youth to gain the noblest parts". The horizontal band of pictorial motifs includes, from left to right, a vase of right-leaning flowers, a marking motif, a right-facing bird, a vase of left-leaning flowers, and a right-facing four-legged animal. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. The sampler has a meandering four-sided border.
There is a selvedge along the left side. The top, bottom, and right side have a 1/8 inch double-turned hem. The sampler is probably unfinished.
Letters and Numbers: There are five alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1, 2 and 4, uppercase script in alphabet 3, and lowercase block in alphabet 5. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The fifth alphabet ends in 'y'. Maker uses long 's'. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
There is a selvedge along the left side. The top, bottom, and right side have a 1/8 inch double-turned hem. The sampler is probably unfinished.
Letters and Numbers: There are five alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1, 2 and 4, uppercase script in alphabet 3, and lowercase block in alphabet 5. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The fifth alphabet ends in 'y'. Maker uses long 's'. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Status
Not on view
