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Maker/s

Wykes, Ellenor (maker)

Collection

J.W.L. Glaisher

Category

embroidery

Name

sampler

Description

Linen band sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in double running, satin, cross, Montenegrin cross and trellis stitch with detached filling stitches. All the edges are hemmed. The pattern is composed of horizontal bands containing repeat patterns of stylized flowers. In the lower bands the floss silks are worked in bold blocks of colour and the flowers and fruits are organised within geometric meanders or arcades that control the scale of the repeat pattern. The sampler contains two alphabets, one complete the other not, and the name and date: Ellenor Wykes 1656.

Production Notes

The greater range of silks employed in this sampler, in comparison to earlier examples, is an indication of an increasing growth in trade during the seventeenth century. the establishment of the East India company in 1600, followed by other merchant companies, to promote trade with India and the Far East gave the English embroiderers easier access to a wealth of silk threads.

Production Place

England (country)

English (nationality)

Technique Description

Linen band sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in double running, satin, cross, Montenegrin cross and trellis stitch with detached filling stitches. All the edges of the sampler are hemmed.

Dimensions

length: 74.5 cm
width: 19 cm
length: 30.7/8 in
width: 7.1/2 in

Period

17th Century

Date

1656

Provenance

bequeathed: Glaisher, J.W.L., Dr 1928-12-07 (Filtered for: Applied Arts collection)

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Inscriptions/Marks

1. name and date
   Position: lower part of the sampler
   Method: embroidery
   Content: Ellonor Wykes 1656
   Description: embroidered in dark pink silk
   Interpretation: name of the maker of the sampler
   Language: English
   

Documentation

1. Humphrey, Carol (1984) English Samplers at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge (Cambs.): The Fitzwilliam Museum [page: 6]
   [comments: Publ. No. 17]
2. Humphrey, Carol (1997) Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks, Samplers, Cambridge (Cambs.): Cambridge University Press [page: 18]
   [comments: Publ. No. 4]

Other Notes

Accession Number

T.21-1928 (Applied Arts)
(Reference Number: 110568; Input Date: 2004-11-05 / Last Edit: 2009-11-17)