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Sampler

mid 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In their earliest form, samplers were put together as personal reference works for embroiderers. They were trials of patterns and stitches that had been copied from others, and records of particular effects achieved that could be recreated again. This example, with scattered individual motifs, is a spot sampler. It includes a typical range of motifs, with areas of repeating pattern, some suitable for the decoration of linen or costume accessories, such as purses.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered linen with silks
Brief description
Sampler of embroidered linen with silks, England, mid 17th century.
Physical description
Sampler of embroidered linen with silks. Loose-mesh linen embroidered in patches in red, green, yellow, brown, blue, pink and cream in back, plaited, gobelin, Hungarian, rococo and cross stitches. Scattered geometric patterns and a few ground flower designs. With pulled thread work and eyelets.
Dimensions
  • Height: 52.7cm
  • Width: 16.5cm
Credit line
Given by the Misses Alexander through Art Fund
Subjects depicted
Summary
In their earliest form, samplers were put together as personal reference works for embroiderers. They were trials of patterns and stitches that had been copied from others, and records of particular effects achieved that could be recreated again. This example, with scattered individual motifs, is a spot sampler. It includes a typical range of motifs, with areas of repeating pattern, some suitable for the decoration of linen or costume accessories, such as purses.
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.40-1955

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Record createdNovember 13, 2002
Record URL
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