Sampler by Elizabeth Davis Blackwell

Date1826

Artist/Maker Elizabeth Davis Blackwell

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 24 warps x 25 wefts per inch (fiber identification by Textile Lab)

DimensionsOH 16 2/8 x OW 17 3/8

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1990-38

DescriptionThis is an almost square needlework sampler worked in faded shades of brown, blue, green, ivory, and pink/red silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. Sampler is hemmed at top and bottom with a 1/4" hem and has selvages at sides. From the top the sampler consists of:
"A A - U" upper case block, worked in cross stitch, followed by a practice stitch (double cross)
Cross-stitched band
"V-Z”, followed by a practice stitch (double cross) "A-P" upper case block, worked in cross stitch, followed by a practice stitch (cross)
Cross-stitched band
“Q-Z”, followed by a practice stitch (double cross), “1-12” worked in cross stitch
Cross-stitched band
"a-z” lower case block and "1-2" worked in cross stitch, followed by a practice stitches (cross)
Cross stitched band
"A-M" upper case script, worked in cross stitch, followed by practice stitches (queen, cross)
Saw tooth band worked in cross stitch
"N-Y" upper case script, worked in cross stitch, followed by a practice stitch (double cross)
Cross-stitched band
"Z" upper case script, worked in cross stitch, followed by practice stitches (cross), and "A-L" upper case block, worked in eyelet stitch, followed by practice stitches (eyelet)
Wave band worked in cross stitch
"M-X" upper case block, worked in eyelet stitch, followed by a heart motif worked in cross stitch
Eyelet-stitched band
Practice stitch (double cross), "Y-Z" upper case block, worked in eyelet stitch, followed by a practice stitch (cross), and "A-J" upper case block worked in double cross stitch, followed by practice stitches (double cross)
Queen-stitched band
"K-V" upper case block, worked double cross stitch, followed by practice stitches (cross, double cross, queen)
Cross-stitched band
"W-Z" upper case block, worked in double cross stitch, followed by a practice stitch (double cross)
Signature line reads, "Elizabeth Davis Blackwell's Sample marked/ in The Year 1826 in the tenth Year of her age/ in Mrs. Fore's School Richmod [sic] Virginia Decem/ber 12".
Crossed-stitched band
Bottom line of sampler consists of the verse, "Oft pining cares in rich brocades are drest And diamons [sic] glitter on an anxio/us brest, [sic]” followed by a row of cross stitch.
Sampler is enclosed on all four sides in a decorative border of cross, eyelet, double cross and queen stitches.

Stitches: cross, double cross, eyelet, and queen

Label TextAt the age of ten Elizabeth worked her sampler in Mrs. Fore's School in Richmond, Virginia. Her sampler verse, which begins "Oft pining cares in rich brocades," is taken from Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man: Epistle IV". At the present time nothing is known of the school run by Mrs. Fore or of Elizabeth Davis Blackwell's family.
Inscribed"Oft pining cares in rich brocades are drest And diamons [sic] glitter on an anxio/us brest, [sic]”
ProvenancePurchased by CWF from an estate auction held by H. R. Tyrer Galleries, Glens Falls, New York, on February 9, 1990. No previous history known at this time.