Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Olive Elmer
1779 - 1812
Date1795
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 7 1/4 x 8 1/2in. (18.4 x 21.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineIn memory of Elizabeth Noble Anderson
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium brown, black, khaki, medium green, light green, and blue-green silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three rows of one alphabet, over four inscriptions. The first inscription is "OLIVE ELMER/ WAS BORN NOV 5 1779". The second inscription is "FEBRUARY 17 1795". The third inscription is "OLIVE ELMER." The fourth inscription is "HS". There is a four-sided border.
The sampler has a selvedge at the top edges; the other edges are raw. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There is one alphabet. The letters are uppercase block. The letters J and U are present.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch over one thread. Text is done in initial caps.
Condition: The side and bottom edges are raw; the border stitches are at risk. The sampler has minimal to moderate fading. The ground is discolored to a light brown. The sampler is not framed.
The sampler has a selvedge at the top edges; the other edges are raw. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There is one alphabet. The letters are uppercase block. The letters J and U are present.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in cross stitch over one thread. Text is done in initial caps.
Condition: The side and bottom edges are raw; the border stitches are at risk. The sampler has minimal to moderate fading. The ground is discolored to a light brown. The sampler is not framed.
Object number1971.35.8
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGH/ IJKLMNOPQR/ STUVWXYZ/ OLIVE ELMER/ WAS BORN NOV 5 1779/ FEBRUARY 17 1795/ OLIVE ELMER. HS".
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