Sampler

Object name

Date made

First half 20th century

Place made

Description

Natural shading sampler featuring a variety of autumnal imagery, likely made by a Royal School of Needlework diploma student in the first decades of the 20th century.

Content description

Natural shading sampler worked in crewel wool threads on a linen twill ground, likely worked by a Royal School of Needlework diploma student. The sampler features a variety of autumnal motifs, including an acorn, pomegranate, berries, chestnut, rose petal, and leaves that include differing shapes (to practice directional and more advanced use of long and short stitching). The imagery is arranged in clusters to show different parts of the same plant, for example the poppy leaves, petal, and bud in the bottom centre. The top right corner shows practice long and short stitches on a curve and curved directional stitches around a curve, while the orange at the top centre shows the stitcher practicing long and short stitches while blending colours directionally. The sampler involves long and short stitch, split stitch, and French knots. It can be dated to approximately the first half of the 20th century.

Dimensions

width: 52cm
height: 52cm

Materials

Stitches

Motifs

Catalogue number

RSN.404
© Royal School of Needlework