Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Elizabeth Green
American
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 11 3/4 x 11 1/2in. (29.8 x 29.2cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionSampler worked in medium brown, light brown, dark brown, dark blue (navy), dark green, green-gray, brick red, pink, blue-green, black, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches and Algerian eye stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with five rows of three alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9, over a horizontal band of vine and strawberries or flower buds, over an inscription, which is surrounded by various marking motifs and a spray of rose blossoms. The inscription is "Elizabeth Green/ of/ Voluntown". The marking motifs contain or incorporate various initials, i.e., EG (in two places), L and F. The lines of alphabets and numbers are separated by various borders, including straight and meandering lines. The sampler has a plain, four-sided border.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and the side edges, and selvedge on the bottom edge. It is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3 The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The third alphabet ends at x. The marking motifs contain or incorporate various initials, i.e., EG (in two places), L and F. The z in Elizabeth is curved, like a backwards s.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It has some stains. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and the side edges, and selvedge on the bottom edge. It is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are three alphabets. The letters are uppercase script in alphabet 1, uppercase block in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3 The letters J and U are present in all alphabets. The third alphabet ends at x. The marking motifs contain or incorporate various initials, i.e., EG (in two places), L and F. The z in Elizabeth is curved, like a backwards s.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It has some stains. The sampler is not framed.
Object number1968.64.10
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKLM/ NOPQRSTUVWXYZ/ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR/ STUVWXYZ & 123456789/ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx/ Elisabeth Green/ of/ Voluntown/ L/ EG EG/ F".NotesObject Note: The embroiderer spelled "Elisabeth" with a backwards 's'. (Hunt 6/19/2007)
Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
