Images(11)

Sampler by Ann Taylor

Dateca. 1670

Artist/Maker Ann Taylor (b. February 8th, 1657)

OriginEngland

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 54 x 46 threads per inch (fiber identification by textile lab)

DimensionsOH: 32" x OW: 6 1/4"

Credit LineAnonymous gift

Object number1971-1483

DescriptionThis is a long band sampler worked in polychrome silk threads on a natural color linen ground. At the top is a wide band featuring two capitalized alphabets with no 'J' or 'U' and the numbers 1-20. The first line features letter A through Q, the second line has R through Z and numerals 1 through 20. The third line features A through M and the fourth has N through Z. The inscriptions below read, "ANN TAYLOR HeR YeAr/WOrK MADe IN THE/SHE BEING BORN THE 8 DAY OF FEBRY AD 1657." The last line is written in miniscule writing. The second band features a Stuart "S" design, the third band has diagonal designs with flowers, and the fourth band features upside-down boxers flanked by flowers. The fifth band has pinwheel-shaped flowers with strawberries and acorns flanking the band, the sixth band shows blooming, striped flowers, and the seventh band has stylized carnations with owls, dogs, and isolated hands. The last band, the eighth, has a geometric zig-zag and flower pattern.

Stitches: bullion, buttonhole, couching, detached buttonhole, double running, eyelet, interlacing, long-arm cross, marking cross, Montenegrin, outline, pattern darning, and satin
Label TextAnn Taylor, born in 1657, likely made this sampler as a girl or young teenager in the midst of her needlework education. This long, narrow sampler is typical of seventeenth-century English samplers, with its series of bands. One band features "boxers," which can be seen on many band samplers of this period. They are male figures, sometimes clothed and other times not, who hold an object in one of their hands -- these objects can include flowers, birds, or, in this case, acorns. This figure's stance resembles a boxer, and thus the name.

Ann Taylor inscribed her sampler with the following text: "ANN TAYLOR heR YeAr/WOrK MADe IN THE/SHE BEING BORN THE 8 DAY OF FEBRY AD 1657." Presumably, Ann meant to say, "Ann Taylor her work made in the," and the year itself is missing. Why she mixes up her words remains mysterious.
InscribedTwo capitalized alphabets, numbers 1 through 20, inscription:
"A-Q
R-Z, 1-20
A-M
N-Z
ANN TAYLOR HeR YeAr
WOrK MADe IN THE
SHE BEING BORN THE 8 DAY OF FEBRY AD 1657"
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceRecords survive of an Ann Taylor born Feburary 8th, 1657 in Worcester, England. She belonged to the All Saints parish and her father was Hendry Taylor. No further information has been found.