Sampler by Unknown Maker

Date1879

MediumWool and silk embroidery threads on a cotton canvas of 24 x 32 threads per inch (fabric identification by textile lab)

DimensionsFramed: OH: 27 1/4" x OW: 26 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1978.608.1

DescriptionThis is a nearly square sampler consisting of a maroon canvas ground covered with randomly placed and variously proportioned Berlin-type embroidery motifs, many of which appear to have no iconographic relationship to one another. The motifs are as follows, loosely in left to right order: bird, dog, red and green flower, stag, calla lilies, carnations, two black dancing figures, one black dancing figure, black horse with a flower on its back, white horse head, flower bouquet, horn, figure with its back toward viewer, cross, butterfly, small black figure, insect, red flowers with green leaves, horseshoe, black dog, mouse, two figures with their backs toward the viewer, red bird, small orange flower, key, roses, white dove with envelope in its mouth, abstracted building with trees, lake, and fence, lilac, small animal head, cat on a pillow, black cat, white and purple flowers, winged insect, three playing cards, "1879," key, chair, butterfly, bird, small tool, black male figure with ladder, lily, house and trees, white flower, shovel, American flag, small black girl figure, rabbit, dog, red flower, sheep, flower basket, rooster, cross, lyre, and swan in lake.

Stitches: cross
Label TextMany canvaswork samplers of this type include African-American figures among their motifs, and at least two of them include the Civil War era slogan "We's Free." The random placement of variously proportioned and presumably unrelated motifs is characteristic of this group. Most are roughly the size of this example, but it is not clear whether such samplers were meant to be framed and hung on walls or finished in some other manner. One recorded piece was fringed on all four sides suggesting that it was intended as a table mat.
InscribedStitched near the center is the date "1879."
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceFormer owner acquired this piece at a Short Hills, New Jersey estate sale. No earlier history has been recorded.