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1986-10, Sampler
Sampler by Virginia Ann Clark
1986-10, Sampler

Sampler by Virginia Ann Clark

Date1828
Artist/Maker Virginia Ann Clark
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Norfolk
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 30 x 31 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH 17" x OW 20 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1986-10
DescriptionThis is an almost square needlework sampler worked in faded shades of blue, yellow/gold, brown, green, ivory, and pinkish beige silk threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is unhemmed on all four sides with selvages at top and bottom. The top section of the sampler consists of two complete upper case alphabets plus an ampersand worked in eyelet stitch and a non-reversible four-sided stitch, respectively, numerals "1-6" in a boxed cross stitch, a complete script alphabet plus ampersand in cross stitch, and a lower case alphabet with two "s" letters in a variation of the cross stitch.

The lower section of the sampler consists of two scenes. To the left is a castle on a hill, tree, fence, and a smaller building with the adage, "Truth is the brightest/ornament/of youth." The right scene is of a house with a fence and a large tree with the adage, "The path of vir/tue is the path/ of peace." The center lower half contains the verse, "Retired from the bustle of life,/ In a neat little cot of my own;/ A stranger to trouble and strife,/ With a friend all my wishes/ to crown:/ How calm and contented/I'd live:/ Ah! sweetly my moments/ would flow--/ The best of my stores would I/ give./ To relieve the poor suffer-/-er's wo."
At the bottom of the sampler is the signature line, "Virginia Ann Clark, wrought by h[er] in the 1[?] year of her age, [N]orfolk Va. Feb. 11th AD. 1828."

Stitches: back, chain, cross, cross variation, eyelet, long arm cross, marking cross, non-reversible four-sided, satin, and straight
Label TextThis sampler relates to other samplers worked in Norfolk, Virginia between 1828 and 1834. These samplers are characterized by densely-worked landscapes and the place name of "Norfolk."
Inscribed"Truth is the brightest/ornament/of youth."

"The path of vir/tue is the path/ of peace."

"Retired from the bustle of life,/ In a neat little cot of my own;/ A stranger to trouble and strife,/ With a friend all my wishes/ to crown:/ How calm and contented/I'd live:/ Ah! sweetly my moments/ would flow--/ The best of my stores would I/ give./ To reieve the poor suffer-/-er's wo."

ProvenanceAlthough a number of Clarks have been located in the Norfolk area during the early 19th century, Virginia Ann Clark has not been found in the Norfolk records. The maker of this sampler may be the Virginia Clark born in 1817, to Reuben and Charlotte Pratt Clark of Gloucester and Charles City County, Virginia. In 1839, this Virginia Clark married Samuel Jefferson in Charles City County, and later moved to Tazewell County, Virginia.