Family Register Memorial
EmbroidererPossibly embroidered by
Hannah Taylor
(American, born 1799)
Date1822-1823
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on an undyed plain-woven linen ground; plain-woven cotton backing
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 16 5/8 x 13in. (42.2 x 33cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width including margin): 17 1/4 x 14in. (43.8 x 35.6cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width including margin): 17 1/4 x 14in. (43.8 x 35.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Mabel L. Hart
DescriptionFamily register memorial worked in pink, light blue, light green, medium blue, medium green, dark blue, brick red, purple, black, yellow, dark brown, white and gray-brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in satin and other stitches. The register is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with a double floral swag, over an arched scroll design, over the words "Family Register", over two cartouches containing family details, over two large columns that flank: a horizontal band of flowers with centered cartouche containing family details, over eight lines of family details presented in three columns marked "Children", "Born" and "Died", over two inscriptions positioned side by side at the bottom. The two inscriptions are, from left to right, "Sacred to the mem/ ory of Noadiah Ta/ ylor who departe[d]/ this Life 15 Octob/ er 1828 in the 73/ year of his age" and "Sacred to the memory/ of Lydia Taylor who/ departed this Life 10/ September 1822 in/ the 61 year of her/ age." The register has an elaborate four-sided border. The border includes a floral swag held by three bows at the top. The bottom and side borders contain various flowers, which connect to the top swag in the uppermost corners.
The bottom edge of the ground is raw. The register is sewn to a piece of plain-woven cotton. The cotton extends past the ground at the top and on both sides of the register; this forms a 1/2- to 3/4-inch margin around the top and both sides of the register. All of the flowers, the death dates, and portions of the lower left inscription are stitched through the cotton, indicating that these stitches are a later addition. The register has nail holes along all four edges and is not framed.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is satin; it is also worked in cross over two, French knot, cross over one, encroaching satin, long and short, outline, chain and straight stitches.
Condition: Three of the four death dates and portions of the left inscription are a later addition. The register has light to severe fading, depending on the color. For example, the large flowers that now appear white were originally done in pink threads. There is stitch loss to the left inscription. The bottom edge is raw. There is a dark round stain on the right side. The fabric the register is attached to has nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed.
The bottom edge of the ground is raw. The register is sewn to a piece of plain-woven cotton. The cotton extends past the ground at the top and on both sides of the register; this forms a 1/2- to 3/4-inch margin around the top and both sides of the register. All of the flowers, the death dates, and portions of the lower left inscription are stitched through the cotton, indicating that these stitches are a later addition. The register has nail holes along all four edges and is not framed.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is satin; it is also worked in cross over two, French knot, cross over one, encroaching satin, long and short, outline, chain and straight stitches.
Condition: Three of the four death dates and portions of the left inscription are a later addition. The register has light to severe fading, depending on the color. For example, the large flowers that now appear white were originally done in pink threads. There is stitch loss to the left inscription. The bottom edge is raw. There is a dark round stain on the right side. The fabric the register is attached to has nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed.
Object number1956.52.0
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