Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Eunice Ripley
(American, 1782-1808)
Date1792
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 15 3/4 x 9 3/4in. (40 x 24.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Agnes A. and Mabel O. Ripley
Object number1955.24.1
DescriptionSampler worked in dark green, black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, tan, blue-green, light blue, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets, over an inscription, over a pictorial scene and three rows of one alphabet, which is on its side, at the bottom. The inscription is "Eunice Ripley was Born/ In The Year 1782/ Aged 10 Years October 25". The pictorial scene contains, from left to right, a front-facing woman wearing a long dress and holding a left-facing bird in her left hand, two birds (at least one is in flight), a left-facing bird atop a sprig, a tree containing a bird, and a left-facing goat. The motifs are not to scale. Along the right border is a lowercase alphabet, which is turned on its side; the right border of the sampler is parallel with the top of this alphabet. There is a large heart in the last line of the first alphabet. The sampler has a wide zig-zag border.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and the side edges, and selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets. The first alphabet is very large. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the third alphabet only; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter 'k' is missing from its usual place in the third alphabet; it stands alone at the end of the alphabet. In text, maker uses uppercase block letters to denote lowercase letters.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye, cross stitch over one thread, tent, satin, Gobelin, outline, back and straight stitches.
Condition: The sampler has minimal to severe fading, depending on color. It has several holes along former vertical and horizontal fold lines. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and the side edges, and selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets. The first alphabet is very large. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the third alphabet only; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter 'k' is missing from its usual place in the third alphabet; it stands alone at the end of the alphabet. In text, maker uses uppercase block letters to denote lowercase letters.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye, cross stitch over one thread, tent, satin, Gobelin, outline, back and straight stitches.
Condition: The sampler has minimal to severe fading, depending on color. It has several holes along former vertical and horizontal fold lines. The sampler is not framed.
Label TextInstead of the conventional arrangement of a courting couple flanking a
central Tree of Life, ten-year-old Eunice Ripley depicted a woman alone
with a tree, a goat, and six birds. One small blue bird perches on the
woman’s hand. Depicted with a charming disregard for scale, certain
costume details are very realistic: the fashionable white fichu at her
neckline; the long, narrow sleeves with white ruffles; her full skirt set off
with white floral sprigs; and a once bright pink sash at her waist. The birds
evoke the popular saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
NotesObject Notes: The letter 'k' is missing from its usual place in the third alphabet; it stands alone at the end of the alphabet. In text, maker uses uppercase block letter to denote lowercase letters. (Wittman 6/2/2007)central Tree of Life, ten-year-old Eunice Ripley depicted a woman alone
with a tree, a goat, and six birds. One small blue bird perches on the
woman’s hand. Depicted with a charming disregard for scale, certain
costume details are very realistic: the fashionable white fichu at her
neckline; the long, narrow sleeves with white ruffles; her full skirt set off
with white floral sprigs; and a once bright pink sash at her waist. The birds
evoke the popular saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
Note: The embroiderer's father, Jeremiah Ripley, was a judge in the Tolland County Court and a member of the legislature for several successive years. (Hunt 6/21/2007)
Status
Not on view
