Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Abigail Stanley Roberts
(American, 1819 - 1846)
Date1830
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 15 3/4 x 17in. (40 x 43.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Silas Chapman, Jr.
Object number1914.13.0
DescriptionSampler worked in dark green, salmon, brick red, dark brown, medium green, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with five rows of three alphabets, the numbers 1 through 10, and an inscription, over two inscriptions positioned side by side, over an inscription flanked by various pictorial motifs. The first inscription is "Abigail S Roberts Born Sept' 3 1819 Aged 11". The second inscription is a religious verse, "Jesus permit thy gracious name to sta-nd/ As the first efforts of an infants hand/ And while her fingers o'er this canvas-s move/ Engage her tender heart to seek thy love/ With thy dear children let her share a p-art/ And write thy name thyself upon her h-eart". The third inscription is "Friendship's a pure a heaven descende-d flame/ Worthy the happy regions whence the-y came/ The sacred tie that virtuous spirit bind-s/ The golden chain that links immortal min-ds/ May circling years soft as they roll/ Spread constant blessings on my soul". The fourth inscription is "From a Teacher to her Pupil/ May friendship be you-rs/ While life endures/ May happiness be you-r repast/ May joys increase/ May sorrows cease/ Till Heaven shall call you ho-me at last". The various pictorial motifs include a large basket, several flowers, plants, a right-facing bird, and a large two-story house with a center door. These motifs are not to scale. There are several diamond designs. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow meandering borders. There is a four-sided border.
The sampler has a 3/8-inch double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline. 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. Maker ran out of room several times in working the second, third, and fourth verses and continued lines immediately above where they should have been placed.
Condition: There is minimal to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/8-inch double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline. 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. Maker ran out of room several times in working the second, third, and fourth verses and continued lines immediately above where they should have been placed.
Condition: There is minimal to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object