Pair of Samplers
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Lucy Stanley
(American, born 1872)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Julia Ann Kelsey
(American, born 1811)
Dateabout 1795, about 1820
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on plain-woven linen grounds
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width): 17 1/4 x 8 7/8in. (43.8 x 22.5cm)
Component (height x width of top sampler): 9 3/8 x 7 1/2in. (23.8 x 19.1cm)
Component (height x width of bottom sampler): 7 3/4 x 8 7/8in. (19.7 x 22.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the estate of Miss Luella Kelsey
Object number1917.11.2
DescriptionPair of samplers, consisting of two samplers stacked one over the other; the samplers are connected to each other with some loose stitches.
At the top is a marking sampler worked in gray, dark brown, rust, salmon, and dark blue silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 10, and an inscription, over a group of letters at the bottom. The inscription is "Lucy Stanley". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is no border.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both sides and the bottom, and selvedge at the top. The sampler is not framed, but is accompanied by an old frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus three additional letters and 15 additional letters, and the numbers 1-7. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The additional letters are uppercase block, JJJ, and uppercase script, LMJWMO/ CEGKLFPQ/ M. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The top sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The top sampler has darkened. The ground is stained. There is some stitch loss to horizontal rows. It is not framed.
The bottom marking sampler worked in dark brown, medium browns, and gray silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four rows of an inscription followed by script letters; the inscription is "JAKelsey". There is no border. The sampler is unfinished.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both sides and the top; the sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the bottom except that the hem is turned to the right side of the piece. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: A letter 'u" is backwards. Most of the letters are uppercase script.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The bottom sampler has some stains. It has minimal fading. It is not framed, but is accompanied by an old frame.
At the top is a marking sampler worked in gray, dark brown, rust, salmon, and dark blue silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 10, and an inscription, over a group of letters at the bottom. The inscription is "Lucy Stanley". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is no border.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both sides and the bottom, and selvedge at the top. The sampler is not framed, but is accompanied by an old frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus three additional letters and 15 additional letters, and the numbers 1-7. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The additional letters are uppercase block, JJJ, and uppercase script, LMJWMO/ CEGKLFPQ/ M. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The top sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The top sampler has darkened. The ground is stained. There is some stitch loss to horizontal rows. It is not framed.
The bottom marking sampler worked in dark brown, medium browns, and gray silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four rows of an inscription followed by script letters; the inscription is "JAKelsey". There is no border. The sampler is unfinished.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both sides and the top; the sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the bottom except that the hem is turned to the right side of the piece. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: A letter 'u" is backwards. Most of the letters are uppercase script.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The bottom sampler has some stains. It has minimal fading. It is not framed, but is accompanied by an old frame.
Status
Not on view
