Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Betsey Benton
(American, 1788 - 1847)
Date1798-1799
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 12 3/4 x 8 1/4in. (32.4 x 21cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1950.384.0
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in rust, cream, dark brown, black, mauve, and light copper silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with eleven rows of two alphabets and two inscriptions, over the numbers 1 through 20 at the bottom. The first inscription is "Betsey/ Benton in the 11 year/ of her age". The second inscription is a verse, "Bb is my/ name English is my/ nation hartford is my/ dwelling place chri/ st is my salvation". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by narrow straight borders. There is a four-sided narrow border.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and side edges, and selvedge on the bottom. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus one additional letter, and the numbers 1-20. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The additional letter is W. The letter J is not present in either alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Two letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MN. The lowercase letter "y" is backwards in every instance. The embroiderer uses long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: There is some color run in the first alphabet. The sampler has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and side edges, and selvedge on the bottom. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus one additional letter, and the numbers 1-20. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The additional letter is W. The letter J is not present in either alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Two letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MN. The lowercase letter "y" is backwards in every instance. The embroiderer uses long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: There is some color run in the first alphabet. The sampler has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
Status
Not on view
