Sampler
1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The earliest surviving samplers date back to the sixteenth century, where they were used as a personal reference for experienced or professional embroiderers. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries however, when this example was made, samplers were increasingly being used as an educational tool for girls from all social backgrounds. Samplers also had an increasingly pictoral focus by this time, often framed with embroidered border patterns; the use of moralising texts and motifs also served as an expression of dutiful piety. This example was made by Margaret Barkers and is dated 12 February 1800.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wool and silk cross stitch on linen ground. |
| Brief description | Sampler with wool and silk cross stitch in green, brown, red, pink, yellow, orange, beige, cream and blue on linen ground. Made by Margaret Barker in February 1800. |
| Physical description | Wool and silk cross stitch in green, brown, red, pink, yellow, orange, beige, cream and blue on linen ground. There is a simple border with coloured stithcing at the top and purple flowers arranged within a green triangle shaped pattern at the bottom. The top section has two examples of each letter of the alphabet, stitched and underlined in various colours. Underneath is text that reads 'Margret Barkers work February 12 1800'. On either side of '1800' are diamond motifs linked with oval shaped stitching. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Given in memory of Valerie Orr |
| Object history | Donated by Peter Orr in 2016, who was given the samplers by his mother Valerie Orr (deceased). The donor advised that his mother acquired the samplers over several years as she was the Chair of the Embroiderers' Guild in Yorkshire. He believes the period of acquisition would have been 1970-2005, and that a number were donated by a good friend in the 1970's, whilst others were purchased or a gift from others. |
| Historical context | In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries samplers were increasingly being used as an educational tool for girls from all social backgrounds. This sampler forms part of a total of fourteen examples donated to the Museum by Peter Orr, ranging in date from 1785-1886. |
| Summary | The earliest surviving samplers date back to the sixteenth century, where they were used as a personal reference for experienced or professional embroiderers. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries however, when this example was made, samplers were increasingly being used as an educational tool for girls from all social backgrounds. Samplers also had an increasingly pictoral focus by this time, often framed with embroidered border patterns; the use of moralising texts and motifs also served as an expression of dutiful piety. This example was made by Margaret Barkers and is dated 12 February 1800. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.542-2016 |
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 | September 21, 2016 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
