Sampler
1661 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During the 17th century in England, samplers developed from personal reference works for embroiderers, containing trials of patterns and stitches, to methods of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework. While many of the girls who embroidered these samplers would not have expected to have to work for their living, the needlework skills they were learning would be important skills in the future management of their households and the personal adornment of their families and themselves.
The embroidery is worked with silk, linen and metal thread in back, cross, two-sided Italian cross, satin, plaited braid and detached buttonhole stitch, with cutwork.
The embroidery is worked with silk, linen and metal thread in back, cross, two-sided Italian cross, satin, plaited braid and detached buttonhole stitch, with cutwork.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered linen with silks, linen and metal threads |
| Brief description | Sampler of linen embroidered with coloured silks, linen and metal threads, made by Elizabeth Short, England, dated 1661. |
| Physical description | Sampler of linen embroidered with coloured silks, linen and metal threads in back, cross, two-sided Italian cross, satin, plaited braid and detached buttonhole stitch, and with cutwork. At the top is a band of flower ornament in a chevron arrangement with, below, a man and woman on either side of a tree. One of the flowers and the man and woman, and the ground on which they stand were first worked in cross and eye stitches and then further elaborated by detached buttonhole fillings made separately and stitched down the top. Below this are a band of cutwork, six coloured borders and two whitework border designs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Elizabeth Short 1661' (Embroidered at the bottom) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Q. A. Toogood, in memory of C. R. Abbott, OBE |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | During the 17th century in England, samplers developed from personal reference works for embroiderers, containing trials of patterns and stitches, to methods of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework. While many of the girls who embroidered these samplers would not have expected to have to work for their living, the needlework skills they were learning would be important skills in the future management of their households and the personal adornment of their families and themselves. The embroidery is worked with silk, linen and metal thread in back, cross, two-sided Italian cross, satin, plaited braid and detached buttonhole stitch, with cutwork. |
| 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.131-1961 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 14, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
