Sampler
Object name
Maker
Date made
1803
Place made
Description
Map sampler of England and Wales worked by Rhoda Fisher in 1803.
Content description
Map sampler embroidered by Rhoda Fisher in 1803. The sampler is worked with polychrome silk threads on a linen ground and uses back, chain, and long and short stitches. The map shows England and Wales divided by county, with a small portion of Ireland, Scotland, and France also included. The names of the counties and large bodies of water are embroidered in capital letters in black thread, while smaller landmarks and bodies of water are written in lowercase. The counties are outlined in a variety of thread colours. The names are embroidered in back stitches, while the county borders are worked in chain stitches. At the viewer's top right corner is a depiction of Britannia, accompanied by the inscription 'ENGLAND & WALES'. Britannia has a painted face, hair, arms, and feet. A compass is included in the bottom left corner. The map is framed by a floral border which includes rosebuds, pansies, lilies, harebells, and sweetpeas. The floral border and Britannia tableau are worked in long and short stitches. Many map samplers have similar borders. Written in tiny text above the bottom centre of the floral border is the maker's name and the year she made the sampler, 'Rhoda Fisher 1803'. The sampler is in its original frame.
Map samplers emerged in Britain in the 1770s and had fallen from popularity by the 1840s. They gave girls undergoing their embroidery education the opportunity to learn geography while also learning needlework. This particular map of England and Wales was so popular that printed versions were sold to be embroidered upon. Britannia, with her trident and shield, appears frequently on map samplers of England and Wales.
Research has suggested that this sampler may have been made by Rhoda Fisher of Uley, Gloucestershire, born in 1795. At eight years old, Rhoda would have been at the younger end of girls completing map samplers.
Map samplers emerged in Britain in the 1770s and had fallen from popularity by the 1840s. They gave girls undergoing their embroidery education the opportunity to learn geography while also learning needlework. This particular map of England and Wales was so popular that printed versions were sold to be embroidered upon. Britannia, with her trident and shield, appears frequently on map samplers of England and Wales.
Research has suggested that this sampler may have been made by Rhoda Fisher of Uley, Gloucestershire, born in 1795. At eight years old, Rhoda would have been at the younger end of girls completing map samplers.
Dimensions
width: 60cm
height: 63cm
height: 63cm
Materials
Stitches
Motifs
Credit line
Gift of the family of the late Mrs Margaret Lown neé Wilde, 2020. Given by Sue Lown, Royal School of Needlework volunteer.
Catalogue number
COL.2020.57
Other numbers
RSN 2508
© Royal School of Needlework