Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Prudence Hollister
American, 1801 - 1880
DateSeptember 1811
MediumEmbroidery: silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 11 3/4 x 9 3/4in. (29.8 x 24.8cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 9 1/8 x 7 1/4in. (23.2 x 18.4cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of ground): 9 1/8 x 7 1/4in. (23.2 x 18.4cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
DescriptionSampler worked in black-brown, medium blue, blue-green, dark green, light rust, brown-gray, light khaki, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches (over one and over two threads). The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 5, over an inscription, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The inscription is "Prudence Hollister/ Æ 9 Glastonbury/ Sept 1811". The horizontal band of pictorial motifs include, from left to right, two left-facing animals with collars, and a large basket of flowers or fruit. These motifs are not to scale. There are also at least six heart designs and four diamond designs in the bottom section. There is a three-sided wide flower and vine design border.
The sampler probably has a double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is in an old ( but not period) frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-5. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter I is repeated in the first alphabet though not consecutively; the letter 's' is repeated in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in cross stitch (over one thread).
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler is in an old (but not period) frame; the mount is replaced.
The sampler probably has a double-turned hem on all four sides. The sampler is in an old ( but not period) frame.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-5. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter I is repeated in the first alphabet though not consecutively; the letter 's' is repeated in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in cross stitch (over one thread).
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler is in an old (but not period) frame; the mount is replaced.
Object number1979.68.266
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFG/ HIJKLMNI/ OPQRSTU/ VWXYZ&/ abcdefghijklmnopq/ rsstuvwxyz12345/ Prudence Hollister/ Æ 9 Glastonbury/ Sept 1811".
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