Sampler Practice Piece

Period1810 - 1840

MediumPlied silk thread on linen

Dimensions4.5 × 4.38 in. (11.4 × 11.1 cm)

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1934

Object number708.5

DescriptionA small square coarse brown linen panel, hemmed on the left and right sides, with raw edges along top and bottom. The panel is worked in plied silk thread in medium green, pale green, scarlet, bright pink, rose, and pale blue in cross stitch. Seven small floral elements are scattered on the linen, and include three strawberry fruits in addition to stylized floral buds.
Curatorial RemarksWorked on coarse brown linen, this tiny practice panel includes seven small motifs worked in a young hand. Judging from the immaturity of the needlework, the unknown maker was probably a girl of seven or eight years old, trying out little motifs before incorporating them onto her formal marking sampler. The fragment was hemmed on two sides, but retains its original raw, frayed top and bottom edges. As small as this piece was, it was saved by its maker, perhaps as a keepsake of her early embroidery efforts.

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