Sampler thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

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 is a type known as a band sampler. With the composition of band samplers comes the first clear indication in England of the form being used as a method of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen, embroidered with silk in double running stitch
Brief description
Linen sampler embroidered with silk; English; mid 17th century.
Physical description
Linen embroidered with red and blue silk in alternating bands, showing patterns of various flowers and the alphabet.
Dimensions
  • Height: 86.4cm
  • Width: 15.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'AB' (Decoration; embroidering; silk)
  • 'A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z' (Bottom band, embroidered in red.)
Subject 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 is a type known as a band sampler. With the composition of band samplers comes the first clear indication in England of the form being used as a method of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework.
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
739-1899

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Record createdNovember 14, 2002
Record URL
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