Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Eliza Ta[?]
Dateabout 1800-1815
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 5 1/4 x 9 3/4in. (13.3 x 24.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the estate of Helen E. Royce
DescriptionUnfinished marking sampler worked in black, dark brown, dark green, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches (over two threads). The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically or horizontally; for purposes of this review, the sampler was viewed vertically. It is laid out with five rows of two alphabets, the numbers 1 through 9, and an inscription, over three rows of one alphabet, which is oriented so that the text is parallel with the right side edge. The inscription is "Eliza T" or possibly "Eliza Ta". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. A simple, wavy border worked in dark green surrounds the sampler.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both side edges and the bottom edge, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, lowercase block in alphabet 2, and uppercase script in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in the first and second alphabets. The letter T may be repeated in the third alphabet.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler is unfinished. The ground has darkened. There is at least one small hole along the lower left edge. There is some stitch loss to the block and script lettering. The sampler has minimal fading and is not framed.
The sampler has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on both side edges and the bottom edge, and a selvedge on the top edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets and the numbers 1-9. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, lowercase block in alphabet 2, and uppercase script in alphabet 3. The letters J and U are present in the first and second alphabets. The letter T may be repeated in the third alphabet.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler is unfinished. The ground has darkened. There is at least one small hole along the lower left edge. There is some stitch loss to the block and script lettering. The sampler has minimal fading and is not framed.
Object number1963.25.44
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKL/ MNOPQRSTUVW/ XYZ& 123456789/ abcdefghijklmnopqr/ stuvwxyz Eliza Ta/ ABCDEFGHI/ KLMNOPQR/ STTVW".
On View
Not on view
