Sampler
1830s (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. Making a sampler was part of a girl's school education throughout the 18th century and into the early 1800s. By this time embroidered samplers were very often a simple and undemanding exercise. This example from the 1830s, however, is a well-planned design and is finely worked. The girl originally embroidered her age and the date on the sampler. Some time later she unpicked them, possibly to conceal her date of birth.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Wool, embroidered with silk in cross and gobelin stitch |
Brief description | Wool sampler by Sophia Stephens, embroidered with silk; English, dated 1830s. |
Physical description | Embroidered sampler |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
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. Making a sampler was part of a girl's school education throughout the 18th century and into the early 1800s. By this time embroidered samplers were very often a simple and undemanding exercise. This example from the 1830s, however, is a well-planned design and is finely worked. The girl originally embroidered her age and the date on the sampler. Some time later she unpicked them, possibly to conceal her date of birth. |
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.40-1928 |
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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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 21, 2002 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest