Memorial Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Elizabeth R. Boyd
(American, 1816 - 1838)
ConservatorConserved by
Elena Phipps
Date1826-1827
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 12 3/4 x 17 5/8in. (32.4 x 44.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
Object number1979.68.265
DescriptionMemorial sampler worked in dark brown, medium brown, dark green, cream, light blue, pink, black, salmon, and tangerine silk threads on a plain woven linen ground using cross stitch and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with five rows of four alphabets and the numbers one to ten, over two inscriptions, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The first inscription is "Elizabeth R. Boyd was born Nov 26th A. D. 1816 is 10". The second inscription is a religious verse, "Delightful hope its lovely sound/ Conveys a charm to every Place/ In it have countless millions found/ Peculiar grace". To the right of this inscription are the letters BCERB. The pictorial motifs include, from left to right, an urn atop a monument with an inscription, two birds separated by a heart, a basket of flowers, a four-legged animal, a willow tree, a flower, a two-story house with a hipped roof, two chimneys, and green shutters, a crooked tree, a bird atop a topiary tree, and a small dog. These motifs are not in scale. The inscription on the monument reads, "William Cha/ mberlain di/ ed Nov. 27th/ A. D. 1810./ aged 65/ Abigail his/ wife died Ap/ ril 4th 1812". There are several small diamonds betweenthe alphabets. The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There are also narrow outer borders along all the edges.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedge on both sides. It has nail holes along all four edges. The sampler is not framed; it is accompanied by an old frame. The sampler is encased in a covered mat.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets plus five additional individual letters, and the numbers 1 - 10. The letters are upper case block in alphabets 1 and 4, lower case block in alphabet 2, and upper case script in alphabet 3. The additional letters are upper case block (BCERB). The letters J and U are present in all alphabets; six letters are repeated twice in the first upper case alphabet: ACQSWZ. All lower case letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The first three alphabets are worked in cross stitch in brown thread. The last alphabet is larger and fancier, with each upper case block letter worked in a different stitch and color. The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over 2); it also includes rice, leviathan, queen, four-sided, eye, Algerian eye, cross (over four), cross (over one), ray, tent, herringbone, back and straight stitches.
Condition: The sampler has moderate fading, especially in the right third. It has nail holes along all four edges. The sampler is not framed or mounted; it is encased in a covered mat. The sampler is accompanied by an old frame.
NotesObject Note: Elizabeth R. Boyd (1816-1838), who made the sampler, was the daughter of Abigail Chamberlain Boyd (1778-1859) and Gilbert Boyd (1791-1832). Her parents married on 8 November 1815, probably in Amenia, New York. William and Abigail Chamberlain, who are memorialized on the sampler, were probably Elizabeth's grandparents. (Hudson 8/3/2006)The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and bottom edges, and selvedge on both sides. It has nail holes along all four edges. The sampler is not framed; it is accompanied by an old frame. The sampler is encased in a covered mat.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets plus five additional individual letters, and the numbers 1 - 10. The letters are upper case block in alphabets 1 and 4, lower case block in alphabet 2, and upper case script in alphabet 3. The additional letters are upper case block (BCERB). The letters J and U are present in all alphabets; six letters are repeated twice in the first upper case alphabet: ACQSWZ. All lower case letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The first three alphabets are worked in cross stitch in brown thread. The last alphabet is larger and fancier, with each upper case block letter worked in a different stitch and color. The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over 2); it also includes rice, leviathan, queen, four-sided, eye, Algerian eye, cross (over four), cross (over one), ray, tent, herringbone, back and straight stitches.
Condition: The sampler has moderate fading, especially in the right third. It has nail holes along all four edges. The sampler is not framed or mounted; it is encased in a covered mat. The sampler is accompanied by an old frame.
Status
Not on view
