Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Harriet Newell Johnson
American, 1822 - 1844
Date1834
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads and untwisted floss on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
Stand: glass, wood, brass
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of ground (by sight)): 16 3/4 x 17 1/4in. (42.5 x 43.8cm)
Component (height of stand): 65 1/2in. (166.4cm)
Component (height x width of frame): 19 5/8 x 19 1/8in. (49.8 x 48.6cm)
Component (height of stand): 65 1/2in. (166.4cm)
Component (height x width of frame): 19 5/8 x 19 1/8in. (49.8 x 48.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Miss Mabel Johnson
DescriptionFramed sampler inside a reproduction firescreen. The sampler (.a) is worked in dark medium and light green, red, pink and white silk threads on a plain-woven undyed linen ground, using cross stitch and other stitches. The sampler is squareish. It is laid out with six rows of four alphabets plus the numbers one to seven, over two columns of four lines of verse, over a wreath containing the inscription "Harriet Johnson Aged 12" flanked by five lines of verse honoring each of the embroiderers parents. Various lines of alphabet are separated by horizontal lines. The top and sides of the sampler have an arched vine and bud border. The bottom of the sampler has a horizontal border of strawberries on a vine. A thin, straight line of green silk thread is located at each side of the sampler
The sampler possibly has a selvedge on the left and right sides, with a double-turned hem at the top and bottom edges. The embroidered wreath is stitched through a second layer of fabric backing that is located only behind the wreath. The sampler is nailed at all four sides to a wooden backboard. The sampler is inside a wooden frame (.b), behind a piece of old glass. The frame is screwed with brass brackets to a stand (.c), consisting of a vertical pole over a bulbous turning and three cabriole legs. A pineapple-shaped finial is located at the top of the pole.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets plus an additional script "N" at the lower left corner. The letters are lowercase block in alphabet one, uppercase block in alphabets two and four, and uppercase script in alphabet three. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. All lower case letters with descenders, such as the letter 'y', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: All of the alphabets, texts and borders are worked in cross stitch over two; the signature is worked in cross stitch over one. The wreath is worked in untwisted, or crinkled, silk thread in a satin stitch.
Condition: The sampler has moderate to severe fading. The ground has yellowed significantly, and has a dark stain in the upper center section. The frame and stand are reproductions.
The sampler possibly has a selvedge on the left and right sides, with a double-turned hem at the top and bottom edges. The embroidered wreath is stitched through a second layer of fabric backing that is located only behind the wreath. The sampler is nailed at all four sides to a wooden backboard. The sampler is inside a wooden frame (.b), behind a piece of old glass. The frame is screwed with brass brackets to a stand (.c), consisting of a vertical pole over a bulbous turning and three cabriole legs. A pineapple-shaped finial is located at the top of the pole.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets plus an additional script "N" at the lower left corner. The letters are lowercase block in alphabet one, uppercase block in alphabets two and four, and uppercase script in alphabet three. The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. All lower case letters with descenders, such as the letter 'y', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: All of the alphabets, texts and borders are worked in cross stitch over two; the signature is worked in cross stitch over one. The wreath is worked in untwisted, or crinkled, silk thread in a satin stitch.
Condition: The sampler has moderate to severe fading. The ground has yellowed significantly, and has a dark stain in the upper center section. The frame and stand are reproductions.
Object number1952.89.0a-c
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz/ ABCDEFGIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWX/ YZ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO/ PQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567/ ABCDEFGHIJKLMN/ OPQRSTUVWXYZ/ When youths fair season shall be oer/ And scenes of childhood charm no more/ My grateful heart with joy shall see/ This proof of youthful industry/ As memory oer this task shall wake/ And retrospective pleasure take/ Then shall I wish but wish in vain/ To enjoy youth's blissful house again/ Whose anxious care/ Observe my way/ And warns me/ When I go astray/ My Father/ N/ Harriet/ Johnson/ Aged 12/ Who loves me well/ Removes my fears/ And cheerd me thro/ My infant years/ My Mother".
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