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Sampler 2014-84
Sampler, Map of England and Wales by Elizabeth Ambler
Sampler 2014-84

Sampler, Map of England and Wales by Elizabeth Ambler

Date1788
Maker Elizabeth Ambler (1774 - 1859)
OriginEngland, Yorkshire (possibly)
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a worsted ground of 44 x 44 threads per inch; paper lining; wooden stretcher (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH: 24 1/8" x OW; 23 1/4"
Credit LineGift of Sarah Pinckney Ambler
Object number2014-84
DescriptionThis rectangular map sampler is worked in six shades of green, three shades of pink, two shades of yellow, and black silk threads on a worsted ground and shows a map of England and Wales with portions of Scotland, Ireland, and France visible. The map is marked into counties using three rows of cross stitches in shade gradients, with the darkest colors toward the outside. The counties are labeled in black cross stitch, along with selected cities around the coast of the country.

The title of the piece, "A Map of England and Wales", is in the upper right corner surrounded by a cartouche worked in chain stitch. The maker's name and date ("Elizabeth Ambler/ 1788") is similarly placed in the upper left corner in a cartouche. There are several unique aspects to this map sampler. The first is the unusual labeling of the North Sea as the "British Ocean" rather than the "German Ocean" as it is seen in printed maps and other map samplers of the period. Another is the unusual formation of the letter W within the middle of words.

Stitches: chain and cross

Label TextThis sampler was created by Elizabeth Ambler of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England in 1788. Samplers depicting precise replicas of printed maps were exacting geography and needlework exercises. Elizabeth Ambler's map sampler depicts "A Map of England and Wales." Each county is outlined in three rows of cross stitches in shade gradients and labeled in black cross stitches. Elizabeth probably gave the map sampler to a distant American relative who carried it back with him to Virginia where it came to reside in the Virginia Ambler family.
Inscribed"A/ Map of/ England/ and/ Wales"
ProvenanceThe sampler was made by Elizabeth Ambler (1774-1859), 1788;
Given to Philip St. George Ambler (1806-1877), 1840;
By descent to his son, Philip St. George Ambler, Jr. (b. 1852);
By descent to his son, Philip St. George Ambler, III (b. 1891);
By descent to his son, Philip St. George Ambler, IV (1923-2012);
By descent to his wife, Sarah C. Pinckney;
Given to CWF, 2014.

History of sampler maker:
The sampler was made by Elizabeth Ambler of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England (21 May, 1774- 12 May 1859). Elizabeth never married (nor did her sister, Ann), and she and her sister lived together in the Fenton Hotel in Wakefield at the time of Philip St. George’s visit to England in 1840. Philip travelled to England in order to record the family’s genealogy. While he was there, he met up with George Ambler, Elizabeth’s brother, who introduced him to Elizabeth and Ann. Philip mentioned the group in his correspondences, which have been copied into the family history book that has been cursed so only family members can open it. During his visit, Elizabeth gave him the sampler, either as a token of remembrance or so it would descend in the family despite her having no children.