Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sampler
Object Number:
1963.132
Date:
1792
Medium:
Linen, silk, wool
Dimensions:
Overall: 13 1/2 x 14 1/4 in. ( 34.3 x 36.2 cm )
Marks:
embroidered: center in red, gold and green floss: "1792 / WILHELMINA IDE"
embroidered: in center in copper floss: "W I"
Description:
Horizontal rectangular linen sampler worked with various colors of silk floss on a linen ground; contains allegorical and Biblical motifs of Adam and Eve surrounded by randomly positioned naturalistic imagery of a house and an oak tree; top border of alphabet and numbers, side and bottom borders of zig-zag saw tooth design; stitches include cross, chain.
Gallery Label:
The attribution of this sampler to northern Germany or the Netherlands is based on its many allegorical, biblical and domestic motifs such as a ship; Adam and Eve and the Tree of Life atop a fence; spies of Canaan holding a bunch of grapes; a peacock; parrots; and two angels holding a floral cartouche. These elements are consistent with other known samplers from the region, as are the horizontal retangular shape and alphabet in block lettering on the top border.
Credit Line:
Bequest of Irving S. Olds
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.