Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Harriet Lewis Wadsworth
American, 1796 - 1828
Dateabout 1810
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 8 1/2 x 10in. (21.6 x 25.4cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium brown, dark brown, black, cream, tan, and gray-brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with five rows of two alphabets, the numbers 1 through 12, and two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Samp/ ler". The second inscription is "Harriet L Wads/ worths Samplr [sic]". Vertical markers denote the ends of both alphabets, the number run, and both inscriptions. The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow meandering borders. There is a four-sided narrow border.
The sampler has a 1/8-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus seven additional individual letters, and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. The additional letters are uppercase JKA and HMXZ. There is an unidentified letter in the lower left corner of the sampler. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: There are stains to the ground, particularly on the left side. The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 1/8-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets plus seven additional individual letters, and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. The additional letters are uppercase JKA and HMXZ. There is an unidentified letter in the lower left corner of the sampler. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads.
Condition: There are stains to the ground, particularly on the left side. The sampler has minimal to light fading. The sampler is not framed.
Object number1950.355.0
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKLM/ NOPQRSTUVWX/ YZ& abcdefghiklmno/ pqrstuvwxyz 123/ 456789101112 Samp/ ler Harriet L Wads/ worths Samplr [sic]".
Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
