Sampler
late 18th century (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. From the 1750s, makers developed a type of sampler in which they demonstrated their darning skills. The anonymous embroiderer of this sampler probably did not have to learn to darn in order to earn a living. She has used a variety of pastel-coloured silks and filled the centre of the sampler with a delicate ribbon-tied spray of flowers. This is a decorative sampler suitable for display.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton, embroidered with silk in pattern darning and stem stitch |
| Brief description | Cotton sampler, embroidered with silk; English; late 18th century. |
| Physical description | Embroidered sampler |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Alice Haldane |
| 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. From the 1750s, makers developed a type of sampler in which they demonstrated their darning skills. The anonymous embroiderer of this sampler probably did not have to learn to darn in order to earn a living. She has used a variety of pastel-coloured silks and filled the centre of the sampler with a delicate ribbon-tied spray of flowers. This is a decorative sampler suitable for display. |
| 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.36-1945 |
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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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 | November 19, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
