Sampler
Object name
Date made
1951
Place made
Description
Map of Scotland embroidered by L.W.W. in 1951.
Content description
An embroidered map of Scotland worked by L.W.W. in 1951. It features an outline of Scotland in double red lines, worked in stem stitch, a yellow sun-shaped compass rose in the top right corner in stem stitch, and an embroidered navy name plate in the bottom right bearing the inscription 'This Map of Scotland was worked by L. W. W., 1951' with a buttonhole stitch outline and stem stitched letters. Within the country outline, representative geographical and landmark features are worked in satin stitch and stem stitch, including lakes, grasses, castles, steamships, farming equipment, and golf clubs. Around the country outline are stem-stitched waves and small representations of natural and fantastical sea creatures, birds, sailing ships, and in the upper left corner, icebergs. The work is bordered with three lines of stem stitch in navy, yellow, and navy.
Embroidered map samplers like this were used to teach both sewing and geography skills to young women, usually in a school setting, from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. Examples like this from the 20th century would be mimicking those older examples but would likely have been worked for leisure rather than learning.
This sampler comes with a handwritten note that reads, 'Samplers came from Muriel Rose, friend to Bernard Leach & Lucie Rie. She ran a crafts shop ("The Little Gallery") in Knightsbridge in the '30s (patronised by Queen Mary...) and was an early initiator in the revival of the British Crafts Movement. Helped found the Craft Museum in Bath'. A small note pasted on the back has the name 'Mark Littlejohn'.
Embroidered map samplers like this were used to teach both sewing and geography skills to young women, usually in a school setting, from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. Examples like this from the 20th century would be mimicking those older examples but would likely have been worked for leisure rather than learning.
This sampler comes with a handwritten note that reads, 'Samplers came from Muriel Rose, friend to Bernard Leach & Lucie Rie. She ran a crafts shop ("The Little Gallery") in Knightsbridge in the '30s (patronised by Queen Mary...) and was an early initiator in the revival of the British Crafts Movement. Helped found the Craft Museum in Bath'. A small note pasted on the back has the name 'Mark Littlejohn'.
Dimensions
width: 33cm
height: 43cm
height: 43cm
Materials
Stitches
Motifs
Catalogue number
RSN.2781
© Royal School of Needlework