Sampler
Object name
Date made
Circa 1660
Place made
Description
Circa 1660 polychrome and whitework band sampler initialled 'ASEB', worked in silk threads on linen.
Content description
Circa 1660 polychrome and whitework band sampler worked in silk on linen. The sampler uses a variety of stitches, including herringbone, satin, double running, stem, and straight, throughout. The first wide band depicts arcaded flowers in blue, green, pale and dark pink, and cream threads, with a line of blue threads above and below it. The stylised flowers include roses, pansies, and cornflowers. The next band shows roses and pansies blossoming from yellow and bright pink curlicue-laden vines.
The next wide band features arcaded carnations with Celtic knots in pale and bright pink threads. The band is framed on top and bottom by small sprigs of flowers. The top line has flowers in green and pink, whereas the one below has them in pink and blue. Below this band of carnations is an alphabet, which features all letters in majuscule. One exception is 'A', which is written in two ways. Next to the 'Z' are the initials 'ASEB', perhaps the initials of the maker.
The lower half of the sampler illustrates whitework embroidery and needlelace techniques. Directly below the alphabet are rows of single faggot stitch stitch which separate larger bands of counted satin stitches which create patterns of diamonds, flowers, and geometric motifs. These bands are followed by two alphabets. The first is worked in straight stitches and the second is worked in Algerian eye stitches. Next to the 'Z' of this alphabet are once again the initials 'ASEB'. These initials are followed by a vertical line and the number 16, either the age of the maker when she worked this sampler or the first two numerals in the year of this sampler's making.
At the bottom of the sampler are three bands of cutwork, drawn thread work, and pulled thread work. These patterns show repeating geometric motifs and involve buttonhole bars, buttonhole stitches, various Brussels stitches, and picots.
It is unusual for a sampler from this period to include four initials. Perhaps the maker had a particularly long name, or perhaps these initials represent the names of two sampler makers who worked on this piece together or the names of the sampler maker and her teacher. It is likely that the sampler maker(s) began with the polychrome embroidery bands before progressing on to more advanced whitework embroidery and then needlelace.
The next wide band features arcaded carnations with Celtic knots in pale and bright pink threads. The band is framed on top and bottom by small sprigs of flowers. The top line has flowers in green and pink, whereas the one below has them in pink and blue. Below this band of carnations is an alphabet, which features all letters in majuscule. One exception is 'A', which is written in two ways. Next to the 'Z' are the initials 'ASEB', perhaps the initials of the maker.
The lower half of the sampler illustrates whitework embroidery and needlelace techniques. Directly below the alphabet are rows of single faggot stitch stitch which separate larger bands of counted satin stitches which create patterns of diamonds, flowers, and geometric motifs. These bands are followed by two alphabets. The first is worked in straight stitches and the second is worked in Algerian eye stitches. Next to the 'Z' of this alphabet are once again the initials 'ASEB'. These initials are followed by a vertical line and the number 16, either the age of the maker when she worked this sampler or the first two numerals in the year of this sampler's making.
At the bottom of the sampler are three bands of cutwork, drawn thread work, and pulled thread work. These patterns show repeating geometric motifs and involve buttonhole bars, buttonhole stitches, various Brussels stitches, and picots.
It is unusual for a sampler from this period to include four initials. Perhaps the maker had a particularly long name, or perhaps these initials represent the names of two sampler makers who worked on this piece together or the names of the sampler maker and her teacher. It is likely that the sampler maker(s) began with the polychrome embroidery bands before progressing on to more advanced whitework embroidery and then needlelace.
Dimensions
width: 24cm
height: 75cm
height: 75cm
Materials
Stitches
Buttonhole stitch 
Eyelet stitch
Satin stitch
Herringbone stitch
Wrapped bars (drawn thread)
Double running stitch
Montenegrin stitch
Picot
Single corded Brussels stitch
Double corded Brussels stitch
Single faggot stitch
Counted satin stitch
Straight stitch
Eyelet stitch
Satin stitch
Herringbone stitch
Wrapped bars (drawn thread)
Double running stitch
Montenegrin stitch
Picot
Single corded Brussels stitch
Double corded Brussels stitch
Single faggot stitch
Counted satin stitch
Straight stitch
Techniques
Motifs
Credit line
Given as a legacy by Hilda Brook, 2013.
Catalogue number
RSN.1975
© Royal School of Needlework