Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Unknown
Date1853
MediumEmbroidery; wool thread on a plain-woven cotton ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 16 1/8 x 17in. (41 x 43.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the estate of Helen E. Royce
Object number1963.25.41
DescriptionUnfinished sampler worked in red, medium green, dark green, lavender, yellow, dark blue, medium blue, light blue, light green, dark pink and light pink wool threads on a vertically ruled plain-woven cotton ground using cross stitch over two threads and other stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four rows of two alphabets, the numbers 1 through 12, and two inscriptions, over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The first inscription is "April.1853.". The second inscription is "cat.". The third inscription is a literary verse, "When thou art on the rolling ocean/ Remember me with fond emotion". The pictorial motifs include, from left to right, a bird facing right atop a flower, a horizontal ground design which was probably intended to support a building, and a bird facing left atop a flower. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is a cat design between the first and second inscriptions. There is a double four-sided border. The sampler is unfinished.
The sampler has vertical ruled lines. It has a 2/16-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is unfinished. It is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The numbers 1-8 are on line 2 and the numbers 9-12 are on line 4.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two; it also includes tent and fly stitches.
Condition: The sampler has minimal fading. The ground has some stains. It is not framed or mounted.
NotesTechnique Note: This type of embroidery is known as Berlin woolwork. Berlin woolwork uses a counted cross stitch in wool thread on a heavy cotton, or canvas, ground. (Wittman 3/10/2007)The sampler has vertical ruled lines. It has a 2/16-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is unfinished. It is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The numbers 1-8 are on line 2 and the numbers 9-12 are on line 4.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two; it also includes tent and fly stitches.
Condition: The sampler has minimal fading. The ground has some stains. It is not framed or mounted.
Status
Not on view
