Skip to main content
Gift of Elsie M. Miles, 1968.33.1  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2010 The Connecticut Histo…
Sampler
Gift of Elsie M. Miles, 1968.33.1 Photograph by David Stansbury. © 2010 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Sampler

Embroiderer (American, 1786 - 1854)
Date1801
MediumEmbroidery, silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 14 x 10 1/2in. (35.5 x 26.7cm)
Mount (height x width): 15 1/16 x 11 7/8in. (38.2 x 30.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Elsie M. Miles
DescriptionSampler worked in dark green, medium brown, rust, medium blue, black, light blue, pink, purple, yellow, tangerine, fuschia and tan silk threads on an undyed plain-woven linen ground using cross stitch (over one thread) and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs within which is the inscription "1801", over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs within which is another inscription. The first inscription is "Sweet the roseate breath of morn/ Sweet the blossom of the thorn/ Sweet the incense violets raise/ Sweeter far the breath of praise/ Sweet and useful when it draws/ The tender mind to virtues cause". The second inscription is "1801". The third inscription is "Where Lehigh flows, and feeds/ sweet flowers 'twas wrought/ in Bethl'hems pleasant bowr's". The fourth inscription is "Sally Stiles/ aged 14 years". The first band of pictorial motifs include, from left to right, two large flowers, two small flowers, a wreath containing "1801", an unidentified motif (possibly a bird), a basket of flowers, and a vase of flowers. The second band of pictorial motifs include, from left to right, two birds facing each other separated by a plant or a tree, a center tree flanked by small birds facing center, and the third inscription, which is over crown and squirrel motifs. It also includes some randomly placed flowers and plants. There is pulled thread work finished with hem stitches on all four sides. This, along with a four-sided stylized floral/vine design, makes up the border.

The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. It has nail holes along all four edges. The sampler is not framed or mounted.

Letters and Numbers: There is a long 's' in the word "blossom".

Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over one; it also includes cross over two, hem and satin stitches.

Condition: The sampler has minimal to light fading. There is a small hole at the center of the sampler. There are visible center horizontal and vertical folds.
Object number1968.33.1
On View
Not on view
Museum purchase, 1987.201.0  Photograph by David Stansbury.   © 2009 The Connecticut Historical…
Fanny Maria Case
1835-1843
Sampler
Mariett Norton
1836
Memorial Sampler
Elizabeth R. Boyd
1826-1827
Gift of Frank Richardson, in memory of Elizabeth Sophia Burritt Richardson, 1973.104.0  Photogr…
Maria Bolles
1808
Sampler
Mary Hine
1832-1833
Sampler
Ann Elizabeth Skinner
1833
Family Register
Sarah Ann Yale
1827-1847
Sampler
Cynthia Pond
1816
Sampler
Jane Charity Bartholomew
7 June 1832
Connecticut Historical Society collection, 1904.5.0  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2009 The…
Lydia Church
1791
Sampler
Abigail Williams
1794
Museum purchase, 1990.142.0  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2009 The Connecticut Historical …
Miranda Robinson
1839