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Sampler
Sampler

Sampler

EmbroidererAttributed to Lucy Newton American, born 1794
EmbroidererPreviously attributed to Lucy Newton American, 1768 - 1853
Dateabout 1804
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 16 3/8 x 12 3/4in. (41.6 x 32.4cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of visible ground): 12 x 8 1/4in. (30.5 x 21cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
DescriptionSampler worked in dark green, light blue, mauve, light brown, grey-green, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with seven rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 15, over an inscription, over a design of a large two-story house at the bottom. The inscription is "Lucy Newtons Sampler". There is an abstract geometric motif to the left of the house. It consists of five large diamonds (or four small diamonds per one large diamond) overlapping one another. The two-story house has a center door, four first floor windows five second floor windows, and two chimneys. The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is no border at the sides of the sampler.

The sampler probably has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on top and side edges and a selvedge at its bottom edge. The sampler is in an old frame and is attached to a backing board.

Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-15. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter A is repeated in the first alphabet.

Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross over one thread, queen, and chain stitches. There is some loss to the letter D in the first alphabet.

Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading, depending on color. There is some stitch loss to the letter D in the first alphabet. The sampler is in an old frame and attached to the original backing board.
Object number2006.79.0
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:
"AABCDEFGHI/ JKLMNOPQR/ STUVWXYZ/ abcdefghijkl/ mnopqrstuvw/ xyz& 123456/ 789101112131415/ Lucy Newtons Sampler".
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