Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sarah Lawrence
(American, 1784 - 1866)
Date1791
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 10 5/8 x 8 1/2in. (27 x 21.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mary E. Hastings
Object number1922.6.4
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium brown, dark green, purple, medium green, terra-cotta, 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 seven rows of two alphabets, the numbers 1 through 10, and a floral and vine design, over two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sally Lawrence./ aged 7 years/ Hartford July 28". The second inscription is "Improve ev'ry momt." The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow meandering borders. There is a narrow four-sided border.
The sampler has a 1/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and both side edges, and a selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Five letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MNOTU; one letter is repeated three times in the first alphabet: S. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two threads; it is also worked in satin and chain stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It is not framed.
The sampler has a 1/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and both side edges, and a selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Five letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MNOTU; one letter is repeated three times in the first alphabet: S. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two threads; it is also worked in satin and chain stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It is not framed.
Label TextSally Lawrence was only seven years old when she made this sampler,
which stands as a touching reminder of skills learned, in this case recalling
the modern saying, “Plan Ahead.” In the top half, she luxuriates in space,
filling it with letters and an undulating vine. At the bottom, Sally ran out
of room, including the day but not the year of her work, abbreviating two
words, and squeezing the last letter of her motto into tiny superscript:
“Improve ev’ry Momt.”
which stands as a touching reminder of skills learned, in this case recalling
the modern saying, “Plan Ahead.” In the top half, she luxuriates in space,
filling it with letters and an undulating vine. At the bottom, Sally ran out
of room, including the day but not the year of her work, abbreviating two
words, and squeezing the last letter of her motto into tiny superscript:
“Improve ev’ry Momt.”
Status
Not on view
