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Sampler

1649 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In their earliest form, samplers were put together as personal reference works for embroiderers. They were trials of patterns and stitches that had been copied from others, and records of particular effects achieved that could be recreated again. This is a type known as a band sampler, and its decoration incorporates different types of whitework embroidery and needle lace stitches. With the composition of band samplers comes the first clear indication in England of the form being used as a method of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen, embroidered with linen, with cutwork and drawn thread work
Brief description
Linen sampler embroidered with linen; English; dated 1649.
Physical description
Embroidered sampler
Dimensions
  • Height: 46.4cm
  • Width: 17.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
'S ID 1649 AI' (Decoration; embroidering; silk; 1649)
Credit line
Given by Admiral Sir Robert and Lady Prendergast
Summary
In their earliest form, samplers were put together as personal reference works for embroiderers. They were trials of patterns and stitches that had been copied from others, and records of particular effects achieved that could be recreated again. This is a type known as a band sampler, and its decoration incorporates different types of whitework embroidery and needle lace stitches. With the composition of band samplers comes the first clear indication in England of the form being used as a method of instruction and practice for girls learning needlework.
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.115-1956

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Record createdNovember 14, 2002
Record URL
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