Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Wealthy Amanda Badcock
American, 1824 - 1897
Dateabout 1835-1836
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven linen ground; glass and wood
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 17 7/8 x 18 3/8in. (45.4 x 46.7cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of visible ground): 14 5/8 x 15 1/8in. (37.1 x 38.4cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of visible ground): 14 5/8 x 15 1/8in. (37.1 x 38.4cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
DescriptionSampler worked in tan, medium browns, light blue, medium blue, cream, dark brown, gray and medium 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 five rows of four alphabets and the numbers 1 through 10, over two inscriptions, over a horizontal band of pictorial motifs at the bottom. The first inscription is "Wealthy A Badcock's [sic] sampler aged/ 11 years Born Nov 7th 1824". The second inscription is "The Seamstress with her little hands/ Pleas'd to improve her skill/ Delights to mind the soft commands/ And do her mistress will". The horizontal band of pictorial motifs include, from left to right, two bird facing each other atop two trees, a hanging tavern sign, a three-dimensional two-story building, a tree, and a basket. These motifs are not in scale. There diamonds after the first and fourth alphabets; there are two crowns after numbers 1-10. To the right of the inscriptions are various motifs, including marking motifs, plants, and a heart. Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. The sampler has a four-sided narrow border.
The all four edges of the sampler have a 1/8 inch double hem.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, uppercase script in alphabet 3, and lowercase block in alphabet 4. The letter J is present in the first, second and fourth alphabets; the letter U is present in all alphabets. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye. The second alphabet is bigger and fancier than the other alphabets.
Condition: The ground is darkened and has some stains. The sampler may have moderate to severe fading. There are some holes, mostly along the right side.
The all four edges of the sampler have a 1/8 inch double hem.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 2, uppercase script in alphabet 3, and lowercase block in alphabet 4. The letter J is present in the first, second and fourth alphabets; the letter U is present in all alphabets. All lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in Algerian eye. The second alphabet is bigger and fancier than the other alphabets.
Condition: The ground is darkened and has some stains. The sampler may have moderate to severe fading. There are some holes, mostly along the right side.
Object number2006.74.2
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ&/ ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRS/ TUVWXYZ& 12345678910/ ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQRSTUV/ WXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz/ Wealthy A Badcock's sampler aged/ 11 years Born Nov 7th 1824/ The Seamstress with her little hands/ Pleas'd to improve her skill/ Delights to mind the soft commands/ And do her mistress will".NotesSubject Note: The building and tavern sign depicted in the sampler probably stood in Coventry, perhaps on an old turnpike road to Hartford. (Hunt 6/5/2007)
Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
