Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sarah Lawrence
American, 1784 - 1866
Date1791
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 10 5/8 x 8 1/2in. (27 x 21.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mary E. Hastings
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium brown, dark green, purple, medium green, terra-cotta, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross and other stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with seven rows of two alphabets, the numbers 1 through 10, and a floral and vine design, over two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sally Lawrence./ aged 7 years/ Hartford July 28". The second inscription is "Improve ev'ry momt." The lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow meandering borders. There is a narrow four-sided border.
The sampler has a 1/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and both side edges, and a selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Five letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MNOTU; one letter is repeated three times in the first alphabet: S. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two threads; it is also worked in satin and chain stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It is not framed.
The sampler has a 1/16-inch double-turned hem on the top and both side edges, and a selvedge on the bottom edge. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letter J is present in the first alphabet; the letter U is present in both alphabets. Five letters are repeated twice in the first alphabet: MNOTU; one letter is repeated three times in the first alphabet: S. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the second alphabet. The embroiderer uses the long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross over two threads; it is also worked in satin and chain stitches.
Condition: The sampler has light fading. It is not framed.
Object number1922.6.4
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJK/ LMMNNOOPQ/ RSSSTTUUVW/ XYZ/ abcdefghiklmno/ pqrsstuvwxyz/ 12345678910/ Sally Lawrence./ aged 7 years/ Hartford July 28/ Improve ev'ry momt."
Subject Terms
Collections
- Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840
On View
Not on view
