Not currently on display at the V&A

Sampler

13/02/1827 (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. By the 18th century samplers were used to show more than just needlework skills. This example from 1827 includes a mathematical table alongside its alphabets and moral verse.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered wool with silk
Brief description
Sampler of embroidered wool with silk, embroidered by Sarah Grace, England, dated 1827.
Physical description
Sampler of embroidered wool with red silk in cross stitch with eyelets. At the top are four rows of alphabets and a row of figures. In the centre, the multiplication table is arranged in a framework of squares with the crowns of various ranks from King to Marquis arranged on either side. At the bottom is a verse entitled 'Virtue', a row of hearts and other devices and a signature.
Dimensions
  • Height: 31.7cm
  • Width: 30.5cm
  • Height: 12.25in
  • Width: 12in
Marks and inscriptions
  • A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z (Top line of inscription)
  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (Second line of inscription)
  • A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W (Third line of inscription)
  • W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w (Fourth line of inscription. 's' is inverted.)
  • x y z / MULTIPLICATION / IC (Fifth line of inscription)
  • King / Queen / Duke / Bishop Prince / Marquis (Various ranks given with appropriate crown, coronet or mitre. Located at centre of object.)
  • VIRTUE Virtue's the chiefest beauty of the mind, The noblest ornament of human-kind, Virtue's our safeguard and our guiding star, That stirs up reason when our senses err. (Poem near bottom of object.)
  • Sarah Grace Febry 13 1827 (Embroidered at the bottom)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Q. A. Toogood, in memory of C. R. Abbott, OBE
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. By the 18th century samplers were used to show more than just needlework skills. This example from 1827 includes a mathematical table alongside its alphabets and moral verse.
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.133-1961

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Record createdNovember 21, 2002
Record URL
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