Family Register
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Mary Ann Savage
(American, 1816 - 1887)
Dateabout 1825
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 17 1/4 x 12 1/2in. (43.8 x 31.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1987.165.0
DescriptionFamily register, or memorial sampler, worked in dark green, medium brown, cream, dark brown, black, light green, tan and light salmon silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitch and other stitches. The register is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with a pictorial motif, over the words "Family Register", over seven rows of family details, over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs on the bottom. The inscription is "[Illegible (possibly "Wrought by")] Mary Ann Savage in the [illegible]th/ year of her age". The pictorial motif at the top consists of two birds facing each other atop a floral design with center beehive atop a grassy landscape. The horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom include, from left to right, a field with two trees and a fence, a steepled church, a bush, a right-leaning willow tree, an urn atop a monument, and a tall plant. These motifs are not in scale. The inscription in the monument is "Sacred to the me/ mory of SS who/ died Sept 3 1818". The register has a wide geometric vine and strawberry four-sided border.
The register has a 3/16-inch doubled-turned hem on the sides, and selvedges at the top and bottom edges. The register is not framed.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross (over one), satin, gobelin, long and short, half cross, chain, outline and straight stitches.
Condition: There is stitch loss to the last line of family details and to the inscription. The register has minimal fading. The register is not framed.
The register has a 3/16-inch doubled-turned hem on the sides, and selvedges at the top and bottom edges. The register is not framed.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross (over one), satin, gobelin, long and short, half cross, chain, outline and straight stitches.
Condition: There is stitch loss to the last line of family details and to the inscription. The register has minimal fading. The register is not framed.
Status
Not on view
