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Sampler

1837 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The earliest samplers were reference works for embroiderers. They showed 'samples' of patterns and stitches and recorded how to achieve particular effects. In Europe in the 17th century samplers provided instruction and practice for girls learning needlework. Making a sampler was part of a girl's school education throughout the 18th century and into the early 1800s. By this time embroidered samplers were very often a simple and undemanding exercise. A ten year old girl made this sampler, using simple cross stitch. She has included a solemn prayer to her dead mother alongside a moral verse on the importance of counting one's blessings in life.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wool, embroidered with silk in cross stitch
Brief description
Wool sampler by Eliza Richardson, embroidered with silk; English, dated 1837.
Physical description
sampler of wool embroidered in cross stitch with coloured silks, showing birds, trees, flowers, dogs, rabbits, with inscriptions about virtue and the death of the embroiderer's mother, and the name of the maker
Dimensions
  • Height: 42cm
  • Width: 31.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Eliza Richardson Aged 10 Years 1837' (Decoration; embroidering; silk; 1837)
  • If every mans indented ills were written on his brow, How many would our pity share who raise our envy now, The fatal secret when revealed of every aching breast, Would prove that only while concealed their lot appeard the best, Then may I always thankful be for blessings me given, That when I die my soul may rise to purer joys in heaven
  • On the Death of My Affectionate Mother
  • Lord thou wast pleased to bestow on me a Mother truly kind, Whose constant care was to instil good precepts on my mind; And plant seeds of virtue in my young and tender breast. Ere though didst snatch her from my sight with thee to be at rest. Grant me O Lord thy constant aid to do thy holy will, That a tender Mother's pious wish may be in me fulfilled.
  • Transliteration
    .
Credit line
Given by Mrs E. M. Baillie
Object history
Registered File number 730/1930.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The earliest samplers were reference works for embroiderers. They showed 'samples' of patterns and stitches and recorded how to achieve particular effects. In Europe in the 17th century samplers provided instruction and practice for girls learning needlework. Making a sampler was part of a girl's school education throughout the 18th century and into the early 1800s. By this time embroidered samplers were very often a simple and undemanding exercise. A ten year old girl made this sampler, using simple cross stitch. She has included a solemn prayer to her dead mother alongside a moral verse on the importance of counting one's blessings in life.
Bibliographic reference
Browne, Clare and Jennifer Wearden, eds. Samplers from the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 1851773096.
Collection
Accession number
T.3-1930

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Record createdNovember 21, 2002
Record URL
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