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Maker/s

Unknown

Collection

J.W.L. Glaisher

Category

embroidery

Name

sampler

Description

Pictorial band sampler worked in polychrome silks with motifs of animals, flowers, two buildings, a knotgarden, and a Boscobel Oak.

Linen sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in double running, running and cross-stitch. All the edges of the sampler are hemmed. Familiar forms predominate the design; among them are 'Boxer' figures, the bird and the acorn, the interlacing 'S', and arcaded floral bands. Two pictorial bands are quite different; the lower band includes part of a building, a male figure, animals, flowers and an oak tree supporting three crowns. The upper band contains a crenellated building and parterre or knot garden.

Production Notes

The dominance of double running stitch on this sampler contrasts with the complexities of stitch and technique common on much work of this date.

Production Place

England (country)

English (nationality)

Technique Description

Linen sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in double running, running and cross-stitch. All the edges of the sampler are hemmed.

Dimensions

length: 59.5 cm
width: 18 cm
length: 24 in
width: 7.1/2 in

Date

circa 1660 to 1670

Provenance

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

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Documentation

1. Humphrey, Carol (1984) English Samplers at the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge (Cambs.): The Fitzwilliam Museum [page: 8]
   [comments: Publ. No. 21]
2. Humphrey, Carol (1997) Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks, Samplers, Cambridge (Cambs.): Cambridge University Press [page: 30]
   [comments: Publ. No. 10]

Other Notes

Samplers were perhaps the first steps in inculcating political or historical awareness in a young women.

Accession Number

T.31-1928 (Applied Arts)
(Reference Number: 77896; Input Date: 2004-11-05 / Last Edit: 2010-01-19)