Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Emily Mariah Reynolds
(American, born about 1822)
Date31 July 1834
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 15 3/4 x 18 1/8in. (40 x 46cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1973.2.0
DescriptionSampler worked in dark blue, light blue, salmon, purple and medium blue silk threads on an undyed plain-woven linen ground using cross stitch over one and two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with six rows of three alphabets, the numbers 1 through 10, and 12 motifs, over three inscriptions. The first inscription is a religious verse, "Jesus permit thy gracious nam [sic] to stand/ As the first efforts of an infants hand". The second inscription is "Emily Mariah Reynolds Sampler/ Wrought by her in the 12th year of her/ age". The third inscription is "KILLINGLY July 31th 1834". The 12 motifs appear to be flowers. There is a miscellaneous motif at the end of the third inscription.Certain rows (1-6, 8) of alphabets, numbers and text are separated by straight or meandering horizontally stitched lines. The sa mpler has a four-sided border. The bottom border is worked in a sawtooth design.
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 or permanently mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-10. 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 all alphabets. Except in one instance, all lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter "g", are placed so that the descender does not extend below the baseline. The word "KILLINGLY" is larger than the rest of the text.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two; it is also worked in cross stitch over one. The first inscription is worked in two colors.
Condition: The sampler has light to moderate fading. The sampler is not framed or permanently mounted. It is encased in a covered mat.
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 or permanently mounted.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-10. 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 all alphabets. Except in one instance, all lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter "g", are placed so that the descender does not extend below the baseline. The word "KILLINGLY" is larger than the rest of the text.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two; it is also worked in cross stitch over one. The first inscription is worked in two colors.
Condition: The sampler has light to moderate fading. The sampler is not framed or permanently mounted. It is encased in a covered mat.
Status
Not on view
