Sampler
1800 (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. This sampler and its pair (Museum no.T.97-1939) were made by two English sisters. They used their imagination to make creative examples that are full of personality at a time when many samplers were simply standard undemanding exercises.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wool, embroidered with silk in cross and satin stitch |
| Brief description | Wool sampler by Mary Ann Richards, embroidered with silk; English; dated 1800. |
| Physical description | Rectangular sampler of wool embroidered with silk in cross-stitch. The illustrations include a central inscription of a verse and the author's details, surrounded by a border of snaking laurel, on top of which are two birds of paradise, and with a rural scene of fields and farmhouses either side. Beneath this is a red house with fence and trees, further down a selection of flowers. The whole sampler is bordered with scrolling foliage. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Lady Mary St John Hope |
| 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. This sampler and its pair (Museum no.T.97-1939) were made by two English sisters. They used their imagination to make creative examples that are full of personality at a time when many samplers were simply standard undemanding exercises. |
| 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.96-1939 |
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| Record created | November 20, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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