Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Jane Corning
(American, 1800 - 1841)
Date1810
MediumEmbroidery; twisted and untwisted silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 17 1/8 x 15in. (43.5 x 38.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1989.38.0
DescriptionUnfinished sampler worked in medium blues, dark blue, dark brown, yellow-green, yellow, medium brown, light brown, cream, and black silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in Gobelin and other stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with a double swag of flowers connected in its center with a bow, over five rows of three alphabets and the numbers 1 through 11, over two inscriptions, over a realistic landscape at the bottom. The first inscription is "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 thy love With thy dear child/ ren let Her share a part And write thy Name thyself upon her heart". The second inscription is "Jane Corning Septtr 17 1810 Age 10 years". The realistic landscape includes, from left to right, a tree, a single-story building, two four-legged animals in the foreground and trees in the background, more trees, a two story house, a fence, and more trees. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by various narrow borders. There is a four-sided border.
The sampler probably has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top, bottom, and right side edges, and a selvedge on the left side edge. The sampler appears to be glued to a board. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-11. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the second and third alphabets; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" in "years" is immediately above the "r" in "years".
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is satin stitch with untwisted silk thread; it is also worked in cross (over two threads), cross over one thread, bullion, straight, and back stitches.
Condition: The sampler is glued to an acidic paper board. It ground has darkened and has some stains. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler probably has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top, bottom, and right side edges, and a selvedge on the left side edge. The sampler appears to be glued to a board. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-11. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the second and third alphabets; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" in "years" is immediately above the "r" in "years".
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is satin stitch with untwisted silk thread; it is also worked in cross (over two threads), cross over one thread, bullion, straight, and back stitches.
Condition: The sampler is glued to an acidic paper board. It ground has darkened and has some stains. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
