Sampler
Object name
Maker
Date made
Circa 1900
Place made
Description
Unfinished or nue teaching kit, started by the Royal School of Art Needlework.
Content description
Part worked Royal School of Needlework Training School churchwork sampler worked with metal and silk threads on linen showing four angels in purple, pink, and blue flanking the Lamb of God. The sampler's central motif is the 'Lamb of God' (in Latin translating to Agnus Dei), worked in couched gold Japanese passing thread. Black silk has been used to create stitches are used The halo, hillock, flag, and sun rays are unworked.
The lamb is encircled by four angels holding 'Arma Christi', weapons of Christ. These symbols date back to the 9th century. The primary symbol is the cross, held by the angel who stands below the lamb. To the right of that angel is one that holds a crown of thorns and the Holy Sponge, set on a reed. This is the means by which gall and vinegar were offered to Jesus during his crucifixion. At the top an angel holds the Holy Lance with which the Roman soldier inflicted the final five wounds to Christ. The final angel holds a ladder, which symbolises Christ's removal from the cross for burial. All of the angels gesture up to the lamb. The angels have been worked, though their halos have not.
The faces of the angels are worked in fine soft silk and the hair in fine filoselle. The faces, hands, hair, and cloaks are worked in long and short, while their gowns are worked in or nue. The hands, faces, and hair have been worked by a more expert hand than the cloaks. The wings of the angels are goldwork worked in or nue, with the outer parts done in Italian shading using three shades of pink thread for couching. Silver 'rivers' flow between the angels and are worked in silver passing thread couched with silver thread. In the four corners are unworked motifs. Top left and bottom right feature vines with grapes, top right is a pomegranate, and bottom left ears of wheat.
The sampler is a close relation to RSN.96, which is labelled as being a 'CHURCH WORK SAMPLER MADE IN THE R.S.N. TRAINING SCHOOL showing various stages in development'. It is believed that this example was started at the RSN and could then be purchased by an external stitcher to complete themselves.
The lamb is encircled by four angels holding 'Arma Christi', weapons of Christ. These symbols date back to the 9th century. The primary symbol is the cross, held by the angel who stands below the lamb. To the right of that angel is one that holds a crown of thorns and the Holy Sponge, set on a reed. This is the means by which gall and vinegar were offered to Jesus during his crucifixion. At the top an angel holds the Holy Lance with which the Roman soldier inflicted the final five wounds to Christ. The final angel holds a ladder, which symbolises Christ's removal from the cross for burial. All of the angels gesture up to the lamb. The angels have been worked, though their halos have not.
The faces of the angels are worked in fine soft silk and the hair in fine filoselle. The faces, hands, hair, and cloaks are worked in long and short, while their gowns are worked in or nue. The hands, faces, and hair have been worked by a more expert hand than the cloaks. The wings of the angels are goldwork worked in or nue, with the outer parts done in Italian shading using three shades of pink thread for couching. Silver 'rivers' flow between the angels and are worked in silver passing thread couched with silver thread. In the four corners are unworked motifs. Top left and bottom right feature vines with grapes, top right is a pomegranate, and bottom left ears of wheat.
The sampler is a close relation to RSN.96, which is labelled as being a 'CHURCH WORK SAMPLER MADE IN THE R.S.N. TRAINING SCHOOL showing various stages in development'. It is believed that this example was started at the RSN and could then be purchased by an external stitcher to complete themselves.
Dimensions
width: 68.5cm
height: 67cm
height: 67cm
Materials
Stitches
Techniques
Motifs
Credit line
Gift of Marion Cantrell, 2013.
Catalogue number
RSN.2052
© Royal School of Needlework