Sampler by Maria Coles

Date1808 (dated)

Artist/Maker Maria Coles (1795-1869)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Hanover County (attributed)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground of 31 wefts x 31 warps per inch (fiber identification by textile lab)

DimensionsOH 16 1/2" x OW 17"

Credit LineGift of Nancy Chappelear Baird

Object number1997-14

DescriptionThis is a square needlework sampler worked in shades of what was originally green, red/orange/pink and now faded to ivory, gold/yellow, and black on a natural-color linen ground. The sampler has selvage at bottom and is hemmed at top and sides with a 1/4" hem. The sampler consists of fourteen bold Quaker geometric half medallions stitched along the outside of the sampler. At the top left and right are two sprigs of flowers known as "bunch of pinks." At bottom left and right are two baskets of flowers, each with a bird. In center of sampler is a basket of flowers sitting on a plinth-like block decorated with a floral vine. Within block is the signature line, "Worked by/ Maria Coles/ 1808." A crown is in the half medallion in left bottom corner. At top right side are the letters, "EBDA."
Stitches: cross (over 1 and 2 threads)
Label TextThe half geometric medallions, floral sprigs of bunches of pink, and bland color scheme seen in this sampler are typical of needlework produced under Quaker instruction in the early years of the New Republic. Maria Coles was born July 1, 1795, at "Coles Hill" in Hanover County. Her parents, Walter Coles, Jr., and Mary Randolph Price, were members of the Cedar Creek Meeting, which opened a school in 1791. It is believed that Maria attended this Quaker school; she presumably worked her sampler there. On January 23, 1813, she married William Shelton of "Woodlawn" in Louisa County, Virginia. She died at Woodlawn on December 29, 1869.
Inscribed"EBDA"

MarkingsLabel on back of sampler read:
"VAL GLARE STUDIOS/ Prints & Framing/ Linden Row/ Richmond 19. VA"
Cardboard label in blue ink read:
"Worked by/ Maria Coles--Cousin of Dolly Madison"

ProvenanceInformation typed on an index card, which came with sampler states:
"Sampler worked in 1808 by Maria Coles./ She was the daughter of Waltar Coles, Jr./ and Mary Randolph (Price) Coles and was born/ at "Coles Hill", Hanover Co., Va. July 1,/ 1795. She married Jan. 28, 1813 in New Kent Co., Va. Jan. 28 1813 William Shelton./ They lived at "Woodland", Louisa Co. Va. where she died Aug. 8, 1847./ The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts has this sampler recorded in its foiles [sic]./ Line of ownership descent: to her daughter: Indiana Coles (Shelton) Leake, to her daughter Eveline Archer (Leake) Binford, to her daughter, Nannie Coles (Binford) Chappelear, to her daughter, Nancy (Chappelear) Baird/ of "Oak Knoll", Delaphane, Fauquier Co., Va."
(Date of August 8, 1847 actually refers to death of Maria's husband, William Shelton, not her.)

History of sampler maker:
Maria Coles was born July 1, 1795, at "Coles Hill" in Hanover County. Her parents, Walter Coles, Jr., and Mary Randolph Price, were members of the Cedar Creek Meeting, which opened a school in 1791. On January 23, 1813, Maria married William Shelton of "Woodlawn" [or "Woodland"?] in Louisa County, Virginia. She died at "Woodlawn" [or Woodland?] December 29, 1869.