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Perpetual Almanack

Sampler
1787 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The earliest samplers were reference works for embroiderers. They showed copies 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. By the 18th century girls used samplers to show more than just their needlework skills and their religious faith. This sampler shows a 'Perpetual Almanack'. It can be used to calculate the dates on which Sunday would fall for the following 50 years. The needleworker has included precise mathematics, a Latin tag and the name of the school where she was a pupil. This suggests that she wanted to show off her other skills as much as her embroidery. In fact, she has used an undemanding cross stitch.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePerpetual Almanack (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Linen, embroidered with silk in cross stitch
Brief description
Linen sampler by Elizabeth Knowles, embroidered with silk; English; dated 1787.
Physical description
Embroidered sampler
Dimensions
  • Height: 39.4cm
  • Width: 32.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Elizabeth Knowles fecit Walton School 1787' (Decoration; embroidering; silk; 1787)
Credit line
Given by J. Falcke
Summary
The earliest samplers were reference works for embroiderers. They showed copies 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. By the 18th century girls used samplers to show more than just their needlework skills and their religious faith. This sampler shows a 'Perpetual Almanack'. It can be used to calculate the dates on which Sunday would fall for the following 50 years. The needleworker has included precise mathematics, a Latin tag and the name of the school where she was a pupil. This suggests that she wanted to show off her other skills as much as her embroidery. In fact, she has used an undemanding cross stitch.
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.75-1925

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Record createdNovember 19, 2002
Record URL
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