Sampler
EmbroidererPossibly embroidered by
Deborah Bradley
American, 1766 - 1832
Date1780
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 7 x 7 1/2in. (17.8 x 19.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the Edith Stiles Hale estate
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium blue, medium brown, light brown, light blue, dark blue, dark brown, and gray-green green silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross and other stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with eight rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 12, over an inscription at the bottom. The inscription is "Deborah Bradley 1780". The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. The sampler has a narrow, four-sided border consisting of a queen-stitched border at the bottom and a chain-stitched outline on the top and the sides. The bottom edge is reinforced with buttonhole stitches.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and side edges. The bottom edges may be a selvedge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in both alphabets. The letters J and U are not present in either alphabet. Twenty-three letters are repeated twice in the second alphabet; only the letter Y is not repeated. Text is done in initial caps.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch (over one), chain, Algerian eye, queen, closed herringbone, rice stitches, zigzag, and buttonhole stitches.
Condition: There is a large stain near the left edge of the sampler. There is thread loss to certain areas. There is minimal fading. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on the top and side edges. The bottom edges may be a selvedge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-12. The letters are uppercase block in both alphabets. The letters J and U are not present in either alphabet. Twenty-three letters are repeated twice in the second alphabet; only the letter Y is not repeated. Text is done in initial caps.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch (over one), chain, Algerian eye, queen, closed herringbone, rice stitches, zigzag, and buttonhole stitches.
Condition: There is a large stain near the left edge of the sampler. There is thread loss to certain areas. There is minimal fading. The sampler is not framed.
Object number1950.360.6
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIKLM/ NOPQRSTVWX/ YZ &/ 123456789101112/ AABBCCDDEEFF/ GGHHIIKKLLMM/ NNOOPPQQRRSST/ TVVWWXXYZZ/ Deborah Bradley 1780".
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