Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Martha Colton Strong
American, born 1826
Dateabout 1835
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 8 x 10 1/4in. (20.3 x 26cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium 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 seven rows of three alphabets, two sets of the numbers 1 through 9, the numbers 1 through 14, over an inscription. The inscription is "Martha Colton Strong 10". There is at least one diamond design. The lines of alphabets and numbers are separated by narrow straight borders, many of which extend into the right border. The sampler has a four-sided narrow border.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, two sets of the numbers 1-9, and the numbers 1-14. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the second alphabet; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated in the third alphabet. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline. The number 4 in the first set of numbers is backwards. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads. Many of the straight narrow borders separating the alphabets and numbers encroach the right border.
Condition: There is staining, particularly in the lower half of the sampler. The sampler has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets, two sets of the numbers 1-9, and the numbers 1-14. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the second alphabet; the letter U is present in all alphabets. The letter "s" is repeated in the third alphabet. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline. The number 4 in the first set of numbers is backwards. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitches over two threads. Many of the straight narrow borders separating the alphabets and numbers encroach the right border.
Condition: There is staining, particularly in the lower half of the sampler. The sampler has light fading. The sampler is not framed.
Object number1979.68.256
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIKL/ MNOPQRSTUV/ WXYZ 123456789/ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST/ UVWXY Z 123 456789/ abcdefghiklmnopqrsstuv/ wxyz 12 34567891011121314/ Martha Colton Strong 10".
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