Sampler by Doni Sia Masi

Dateca. 1850

Maker Miss Masi

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 40 x 46 threads per inch (identification of fibers by microscope)

DimensionsOH 24" x OW 24 3/4", w/out tassels: H 22" x W 23 1/4"

Credit LineGift of Anonymous Donors

Object number1971-1485

DescriptionThis is an almost square sampler worked in bright shades of green, blue, pink, yellow, red, and orange embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is hemmed in a 3/8" hem on all four sides.
The sampler consists of outer and inner borders of various designs surrounding a center square filled with scattered motifs in a concentric square arrangement. Motifs include trees, eight-pointed stars, ladder, birds, crown, flora, small dog-like motifs, keys, and religious symbols such as "IHS." Surrounding the field is the Spanish alphabet ("A B C D E F G H I J K L LL M N O P Q/ R/ S/ T V X I Z") and vowels (AEIOV) and the inscription: "CALLEJA ENELANO 1[8]/ [?]6 MELABRO/ DONI SIA MASI SIENDO/ DICIPULA DE DONA ANGELA," which translates as "Calleja [street, passage, or alley] In the year of 1[8][?]6 Worked with a needle/ Little Miss Masi Being a student of/ teacher Mrs. Angela."
At each corner are polychrome silk tassels approximately one inch in length.

Stitches: buttonhole, chain, cross, four-sided, hem, satin
Label TextThe large square format of this sampler and the use of bright polychrome silk embroidery threads are typical of samplers produced in Spain in the first half of the nineteenth century. The large variety of geometric border patterns and the central square of scattered motifs in a concentric arrangement are also characteristics seen in Spanish samplers. Because they can be viewed from all four directions, Spanish samplers like this one were sometimes used as table mats. This work is signed by the maker who included her teacher's name. The inscription surrounding the central square reads "MELABRO/ DONI SIA MASI SIENDO/ DICIPULA DE DONA ANGELA," and can be translated as "Calleja [street, passage, or alley] In the year of 1[8][?]6 Worked with a needle by/ Little Miss Masi Being a student of/ teacher Mrs. Angela."
InscribedSee signature.
MarkingsSee description.
ProvenanceEx coll: Tomlinson. Prior to donation, nothing is known of sampler's provenance.

Nothing is known of samplermaker or teacher other than the inscription on the sampler that reads: "CALLEJA ENELANO 1[9]/ [?]6 MELABRO/ DONI SIA MASI SIENDO/ DICIPULA DE DONA ANGELA," which translates as
"Calleja [street, passage, or alley] In the year of 1[8][?]6 Worked with a needle by/ Little Miss Masi Being a student of/ teacher Mrs. Angela."