Sampler thumbnail 1
Not on display

Sampler

1678 (dated)
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. 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. This unfinished example is one of a type that combines repeating patterns worked in coloured silks with areas of cutwork (holes that are cut and then bound by stitches) and needle lace stitches.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen embroidered with silk, with cut work and needle lace
Brief description
Linen embroidered sampler with coloured silks, cut work and needle lace, England, dated 1678.
Physical description
Linen embroidered sampler with coloured silks, cut work and needle lace. In two-sided cross and two-sided Italian cross stitch, with cut work and eyelets.
Dimensions
  • Height: 67.3cm
  • Width: 21cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '1678' (embroidered)
  • 'WS'
Credit line
Given by Margaret Simeon
Object history
Registered File number 1992/524.
Subjects depicted
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. 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. This unfinished example is one of a type that combines repeating patterns worked in coloured silks with areas of cutwork (holes that are cut and then bound by stitches) and needle lace stitches.
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.124-1992

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Record createdNovember 15, 2002
Record URL
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