Sampler
- Object Name:
- Sampler
- Object ID:
- 1925.008.01
- Creator:
- Herbert, Jane (1784-1867)
- Place of Origin:
- Newburyport, MA
- Date:
- 1796
- Description:
- Sampler. Made by Jane Herbert (1784-1867), Newburyport, MA, 1796. Silk twist and floss embroidered on loosely woven linen ground. Large-scale alphabet of block capital letters is worked in eyelet stitch (similar to Algerian eye stitch, but pulled tighter to create a hole) at top, followed by a floral vine band, and a script capital letter alphabet worked in cross stitch. Various decorative line designs separate and finish the lines of alphabet. Across center is the inscription: "Jane Herbert was born May 10 1784 did / this work April 1796." The verse reads: "Free from envey [sic], wrath and strife / Permit me Heavenly Powrs [sic] / to pass a pure unblemish [sic] life / and crown with peace my years." A scene of animals cavorting in a wooded landscape appears at the bottom. Animals include a stag, dog (?), sheep, various birds, a squirrel, and a turtle. A large parrot is cross stitched on the right side of the verse, appearing to stand on top of a tree in the lower scene. At the top center of the lower scene is an unfinished trumpeting angel sitting in clouds. The inked outline of the angel is visible. A broad border surrounds three sides of the sampler. The sides have a chevron design alternately filled with flowers and shaded green pyramids. Across the top is an undulating vine with pink flower or strawberry motifs in alternating orientations. Green predominates; colors that are now cream were originally shades of pink. In addition to cross stitches, surface satin, long-and-short, outline, straight, New England laid, queen stitches and French knots are used. Top and bottom edges of linen are selvage; sides are hemmed.
- Material:
- Textile
Linen
Silk - Dimensions:
- H-21.5 W-18.8 inches
- Provenance:
- Winifred Livesey Cass (1869-1922) was the great-granddaughter of Jane (Herbert) Parker (1784-1867)
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Winifred Livesey Cass
Electronic Resources are only available to New Hampshire Historical Society members. To access electronic resources, please join the New Hampshire Historical Society.