Family Register Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Clarissa Fox
(American, 1823 - 1859)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
David Fox
(American, born 1788)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Rhoda W. Fuller
(American, 1795 - 1859)
Date1835
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground; paper
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 17 7/8 x 17 3/4in. (45.4 x 45.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1986.128.2
DescriptionFamily register sampler worked in dark browns, raspberry, light brown, cream, light green, fuchsia, medium blue, dark blue, dark green, pink and brick red silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitch and other stitches. The register is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with four rows of three alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9, over a horizontal band containing two inscriptions positioned side by side, over seven rows of family details on the bottom. The inscriptions are, from left to right, a religious verse "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand/ As the first efforts of an infants hand/ And while her fingers o'er this canvas move/ Engage her tender heart to seek they love/ With thy dear children let her share a part/ And write thy name thyself upon her heart" and "Clarissa Fox/ ag'd 12 years/ Feb. 21 1835". The second inscription is in a heart-shaped cartouche. The background section of the second alphabet is solidly stitched. There is a solidly stitched horizontal rectangle worked in Algerian eye stitches at the end of the third alphabet. The family details are on the left side of the bottom section of the register; the right side is empty. The two sides in this section are separated with a straight vertical line. There is a Greek key horizontal line after the first alphabet. Certain lines of alphabets and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. The register has a four-sided border.
The register has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedges on both sides. On the back of the register there is paper residue at all four edges from where it was once attached to a surface. The register is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. Alphabet 2 ends at Y. The letter 's' is repeated in the lowercase alphabet. All of the uppercase letters in the inscriptions and family details are in script form. The embroiderer uses long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross (over one) and Algerian eye stitches. The background section of alphabet 2 is solidly stitched. There is a solidly stitched horizontal rectangle worked in Algerian eye stitches after the third alphabet.
Condition: The register has light to moderate fading. There is a stain in the upper portion of the register. On the back of the register there is paper residue at all four edges from where it was once attached to a surface. The register is not framed or mounted.
The register has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedges on both sides. On the back of the register there is paper residue at all four edges from where it was once attached to a surface. The register is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. Alphabet 2 ends at Y. The letter 's' is repeated in the lowercase alphabet. All of the uppercase letters in the inscriptions and family details are in script form. The embroiderer uses long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross (over one) and Algerian eye stitches. The background section of alphabet 2 is solidly stitched. There is a solidly stitched horizontal rectangle worked in Algerian eye stitches after the third alphabet.
Condition: The register has light to moderate fading. There is a stain in the upper portion of the register. On the back of the register there is paper residue at all four edges from where it was once attached to a surface. The register is not framed or mounted.
Label TextWorked in a fashionable 1830s palette of brown highlighted with
contrasting shades of bright pink, light blue, and cream, twelve-year old
Clarissa Fox’s embroidery successfully combines traditional sampler
elements (alphabets, numbers, verse, and signature inscription) with family
register information, popular in Connecticut needlework after 1815. The
laurel wreath and the Greek key border across the top add fashionable
neo-classical decorative flourishes.
contrasting shades of bright pink, light blue, and cream, twelve-year old
Clarissa Fox’s embroidery successfully combines traditional sampler
elements (alphabets, numbers, verse, and signature inscription) with family
register information, popular in Connecticut needlework after 1815. The
laurel wreath and the Greek key border across the top add fashionable
neo-classical decorative flourishes.
Status
Not on view
