Not on display

Sampler

1810 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The earliest samplers were created by young women learning needlework during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Their purpose was to provide the inexperienced needlewoman with a practical guide for stitches and motifs while giving her the opportunity to practise them. Once completed on a long strip of linen the sampler would be rolled up and kept for future reference.

However, during the eighteenth century this practical exercise was combined with another purpose. As the shape of the sampler changed from a strip to a rectangle so its form changed from what was essentially a practise sheet to a carefully planned pictorial composition arranged symmetrically within a border. By the time this example was stitched in 1810 this was the standard format. It was also common to include quotations from religious or literary sources, usually with a moralising overtone. Some of the subjects depicted in this sampler, such as the stags and insects, can be found in other samplers elsewhere and may have been derived from a common published source or teacher.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wool canvas embroidered with silk
Brief description
Sampler, signed Hannah Smith, 1810
Physical description
Sampler on fine wool canvas with silk embroidery; mainly cross stitch, also some tent stitch and chain stitch.
Dimensions
  • Length: 44cm
  • Width: 33cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Stitched at top, 'What is the World or all things / here Tis but a bitter Sweet / when I attempt a Rose to pluck / A pricking Thorn I meet'
  • Stitched in the centre, 'Hannah Smith / 1810'
Subjects depicted
Summary
The earliest samplers were created by young women learning needlework during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Their purpose was to provide the inexperienced needlewoman with a practical guide for stitches and motifs while giving her the opportunity to practise them. Once completed on a long strip of linen the sampler would be rolled up and kept for future reference.

However, during the eighteenth century this practical exercise was combined with another purpose. As the shape of the sampler changed from a strip to a rectangle so its form changed from what was essentially a practise sheet to a carefully planned pictorial composition arranged symmetrically within a border. By the time this example was stitched in 1810 this was the standard format. It was also common to include quotations from religious or literary sources, usually with a moralising overtone. Some of the subjects depicted in this sampler, such as the stags and insects, can be found in other samplers elsewhere and may have been derived from a common published source or teacher.
Collection
Accession number
1375-1900

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

Record createdNovember 28, 2007
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest