Sampler

Object Name: Sampler

Object ID: 1947.016.02

Creator: Dow, Sarah (1808-1886)

Place of Origin: Seabrook, NH

Date: 1820

Description: Sampler. Made by Sarah Dow (1809-1886), Seabrook, NH; 1820. Silk embroidery on linen. Five alphabets: first, large block capitals worked in cream eyelet stitches (similar to Algerian eye stitches, but pulled tighter to create a hole); second, script capitals worked in black cross stitches; third, block capitals worked in squares of cream satin stitches; fourth, small-scale block capitals worked in black cross stitches; fifth, lower-case worked in black cross stitches. Below this is the verse, "Fair virtue industry truth combind [sic] / Adorn elevate the female mind." An undulating floral vine is embroidered below the verse using long-and-short, satin, chain, and bullion stitches. A line of chain stitching separates the lower section with the verse and vine from the alphabet section. Across the bottom is cross-stitched the inscription, "Sarah Dow aged 11 years Seabrook May 1820 * 123456789." The top and sides are bordered with a cross-stitched undulating strawberry vine within a line of drawn threadwork. Hourglass blocks are satin-stitched in each corner. Top and bottom edges are selvages; sides are hemmed.

Material: Textile
Linen
Silk

Dimensions: H-18 W-17.5 inches

Credit Line: Gift of Charles H. Batchelder

People: Dow, Sarah (1808-1886), Batchelder, Charles H. (1876-1948)

View Transcription