Images(7)

Unfinished Sampler

Periodca. 1825 - 1830

MediumPlied and flat silk thread on linen

Dimensions17.5 × 17.88 in. (44.5 × 45.4 cm)

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Julia Hartshorne Trask, 1946

Object number2084.11

DescriptionA large square sampler on a gauzy natural linen ground, with a selvedge along the left and right edges and narrow hems along the top and bottom. The sampler is worked in both plied and flat silk in dark blue, light blue, medium green, sage green, light brown, pale yellow, light brown, and off white. An examination of the back of the sampler reveals the unfaded silk colors, originally a rich grass green, bright apple green, pale green, dark royal blue, sky blue, soft orange, rose, pale pink, lemon yellow, warm ivory, and soft pale gray. Stitches include cross, satin, and stem. A central image depicts an urn and column memorial stone worked in flat silk in tones of off white and gray to suggest marble or granite, with an oval space left blank, most likely for a planned inscription. Faint inking atop the urn indicates that a flame finial was meant to be completed. A lush and graceful weeping willow arches over the memorial stone at right, and both memorial and willow rest atop a smooth and grassy ground, worked in flat silk thread, with small floral sprays and sprigs scattered about. Above the stone and willow is a family register, reading "James Brown Born March 17 1781 Died August 18 1825 / Maria Van Tassell Born Jan 2 1789 / Married September 17 1809 / Sally Maria Brown Born Dec 9 1809 Died Jan 11 1811 / Sally Ann Brown Born October 5 1819 / Charlotte Caldwell Brown Born June 26 1817 / Abraham Levy Brown Born Dec 29 1822 Died Jan 17 1823 / My dear Redeem..." Encircling both inscription and image is a naturalistically worked floral wreath, with most of the flowers clearly identified, including forget-me-nots, blue and yellow pansies, roses and rosebuds, carnations, and trumpet flowers. In the bottom left and right corners are worked small floral sprays of forget-me-nots and roses. The top left and right corners retain the sampler's original inked pattern lines, depicting additional floral sprays. A narrow band of offset cross stitching, creating a checkerboard effect, flanked on either side with a single cross stitch line, forms the border around the entire sampler. On close examination, original inking lines are clearly visible, particularly along the memorial stone outlines, portions of the floral wreath, and the two lower corner floral sprays.
Curatorial RemarksThe maker of this combination family register and mourning sampler is attributed to one of two sisters included in the Brown family names. Sally Ann Brown, noted on the sampler as having been born on 5 October 1813, was named after her parents' first daughter Sally Maria. Necronymic naming, where parents named an infant after an earlier deceased sibling, was common during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Charlotte Caldwell Brown appears on the sampler, noted as being born on 26 June 1817. The embroidered panel may have been started as a way to commemorate the death of father James Brown, who died in August of 1825 when Sally Ann was twelve and younger sister Charlotte was eight. The sampler presents several interesting elements, including the fact that it was never finished. Two inked floral sprays remain undone, revealing the method in which the overall design was inked onto the linen and then embroidered. Faint inked guidelines can also be seen along the edges of the memorial stone and under the edges of portions of the floral wreath. The memorial stone itself was not completed; the inked lines above the urn suggest it was intended to be topped by a flame finial, while the oval panel space in the center of the column was left blank. Whichever Brown sister created the sampler, she did so under the tutelage of an accomplished instructress. The naturalistic design of the floral wreath, with its identifiable flowers including forget-me-nots and richly colored pansies, is beautifully rendered. An examination of the back of the sampler reveals the embroidery's original vibrant coloring before time and light faded the silk threads. Another mystery is the brief and oddly placed verse, "My dear Redeem...," which appears to have the beginning of the letter "e" after the m, most likely for the word "Redeemer." Sally Ann or Charlotte may have decided to include a verse but then replaced it with the large stone and willow image, intending to pick out the words later.NotesThis combined mourning picture and family register commemorates the Brown family of New York City. James Brown (1781 - 1825) married on 17 September 1808 to Maria Van Tassell (b. 1789), a daughter of Abraham Van Tassell and Annetje Lansing. Their children as listed on the sampler were: Sally Maria Brown (1809 - 1811), Sally Ann Brown (b. 1813), Charlotte Caldwell Brown (1819 - 1903), and Abraham Levy Brown (1822 - 1829). Charlotte married George Dakin (1815 - 1882). They moved progressively west in Upstate New York, living in Geneva, Seneca, Syracuse, and finally Buffalo. Charlotte's tombstone reads "1819 / Charlotte Brown / Dakin / 1903," an admitted variance with the sampler which gives her birthday as 26 June 1817.

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