Sampler
1803 (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. Elizabeth Smith tells us she was eleven years old when she embroidered this sampler in 1803. Among the moral verses she has chosen to include is a grim but true statement. 'When greedy worms My Body eat Here you may read my Name complete'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, embroidered with silk in cross stitch |
| Brief description | Linen sampler by Elizabeth Smith, embroidered with silk; English; dated 1803. |
| Physical description | Embroidered sampler |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Elizabeth Smith her Sam / -pler done in the 11th / Year of her Age & in A.D. 1803.' (Decoration; embroidering; silk; 1803) |
| 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. Elizabeth Smith tells us she was eleven years old when she embroidered this sampler in 1803. Among the moral verses she has chosen to include is a grim but true statement. 'When greedy worms My Body eat Here you may read my Name complete'. |
| 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 | 942-1897 |
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| Record created | November 20, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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