Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Caroline Jones
(American, 1820 - 1883)
Date9 July 1832
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 15 7/8 x 17 5/8in. (40.3 x 44.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineBequest of Roderick Bissell Jones
Object number1974.56.869
DescriptionSampler worked in red, medium green, black, light blue and cream silk threads on a linen ground using cross stitch over two threads and other stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with a horizontal oriented stretch of three pictorial motifs at the top, over a satin stitched sawtooth horizontal row, over six rows of three alphabets, the numbers 1 through 4, and the numbers 1-9, over three inscriptions. The first inscription is a religious verse, "Religion should our thoughts engage/ Amidst our youthful bloom/ Twill fit us for declining age/ And for the awful tomb". The second inscription is "CAROLINE JONES. Aged 12. July 9 1832." The third inscription is "Barkhamsted Connecticut". The three pictorial motifs appear to be footed teapots or coffeepots. The sampler has at least six hearts, at least two trees, and at least four unidentified motifs. The largest unidentified motif is to the right of the first inscription. Certain lines (3, 5, 6, 10 and 11) of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by straight horizontally stitched rows. There is a three-sided stylized vine design with fruit/flower border on the sides and the top.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedge on both sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, the numbers 1-4, 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 alphabets 1 and 2. In alphabet 3, the letter 'j" is present and the letter "u" is missing. The letters in alphabet 1 are large. The numbers 1-4 are much smaller than the alphabet that precedes them. In the verse, most of the lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter "g", are placed so that the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: All three alphabets, the numerals 1-9, and part of inscription 2 are stitched in cross stitch (over two). The stylized vine is made up of three closely stitched rows of chain stitch. The numbers 1-4 and inscriptions 1 and 3 are stitched in cross stitch (over one). The sampler also includes satin, Algerian eye and hem stitches.
Condition: The sampler is moderately to severely faded, depending on the color. The sampler is not framed or mounted.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedge on both sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, the numbers 1-4, 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 alphabets 1 and 2. In alphabet 3, the letter 'j" is present and the letter "u" is missing. The letters in alphabet 1 are large. The numbers 1-4 are much smaller than the alphabet that precedes them. In the verse, most of the lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter "g", are placed so that the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: All three alphabets, the numerals 1-9, and part of inscription 2 are stitched in cross stitch (over two). The stylized vine is made up of three closely stitched rows of chain stitch. The numbers 1-4 and inscriptions 1 and 3 are stitched in cross stitch (over one). The sampler also includes satin, Algerian eye and hem stitches.
Condition: The sampler is moderately to severely faded, depending on the color. The sampler is not framed or mounted.
Status
Not on view
