Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sarah Mitchell
(American)
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 11 1/4 x 11 1/4in. (28.6 x 28.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the estate of Helen E. Royce
Object number1963.25.45
DescriptionSampler worked in medium browns, light browns, dark blue, black, medium greens, dark green, purple, and rust silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with six rows of three alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9, over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The inscription is "Sarah. Mitchells Aged 11 Years". The horizontal band of pictorial motifs includes, from left to right, a right-facing lion, a tree, a right-facing four-legged animal (probably a dog), a basket, a left-facing four-legged animal (probably a dog), a tree, and a left-facing lion. Also included in the band are four four-legged animals. The motifs are not to scale. The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is a narrow border at the top.
The sampler has a 3/16 - 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top, bottom, and right side edges, and a selvedge at the left edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The letter A is repeated thrice in the first alphabet; twenty-five letters, B-Z, are repeated in the first alphabet. The first and second alphabets present the letter V before the letter U. The second and third alphabets end at the letter X. The letter "s" in "Years" is positioned immediately above the "r" in "Years".
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The sampler has extensive damage, particularly in its bottom half. It has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/16 - 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top, bottom, and right side edges, and a selvedge at the left edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The letter A is repeated thrice in the first alphabet; twenty-five letters, B-Z, are repeated in the first alphabet. The first and second alphabets present the letter V before the letter U. The second and third alphabets end at the letter X. The letter "s" in "Years" is positioned immediately above the "r" in "Years".
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: The sampler has extensive damage, particularly in its bottom half. It has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
