Sampler
Object name
Maker
Date made
Circa 1900
Place made
Description
Part work or nue churchwork sampler made in the Royal School of Needlework Training School to show various stages in the embroidery process.
Content description
Part worked Royal School of Needlework Training School churchwork sampler worked with metal and silk threads on linen showing four angels flanking the Lamb of God. The sampler's central motif is the 'Lamb of God' (in Latin translating to Agnus Dei), worked in fine silk floss in long and short stitches with a vermicelli design of back stitches. The hillocks and background are also worked in silk floss in long and short. The halo and sun rays are Japanese gold thread couched with soft terracotta silk thread. The lamb is accompanied by a billowing flag.
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 three stitched angel faces and hair are worked in long and short stitches. The bodies of the top and bottom angels are worked in or nue and their wings are worked in long and short stitches bordered by couched Japanese gold thread. The right and left-hand angels, only partially worked, have bodies made of couched passing Japanese gold threads and wings of long and short stitches bordered with more Japanese gold. The angels are united by their matching terracotta-coloured wings. The areas between the angels are unworked, as are the corner motifs. The top left and bottom right motifs are vines with grapes, the top right motif is a pomegranate, and the bottom left motif shows ears of wheat.
At the bottom of the framed sample is a label which reads, 'CHURCH WORK SAMPLER MADE IN THE R.S.N. TRAINING SCHOOL showing various stages in development'. This suggests that this item was an example of didactic material in the school or was used for display. The label's inclusion of the name 'RSN' rather than 'RSAN' for Royal School of Art Needlework suggests a production date of after 1922, when the school changed its name, but the style of embroidery suggests a production date of circa 1900. Perhaps, then, the label was added to this work later. The sampler is a close relation to RSN.2052, which is the same design but which was started at the RSN and was intended to be finished by a stitcher who purchased the design and work and finished it elsewhere.
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 three stitched angel faces and hair are worked in long and short stitches. The bodies of the top and bottom angels are worked in or nue and their wings are worked in long and short stitches bordered by couched Japanese gold thread. The right and left-hand angels, only partially worked, have bodies made of couched passing Japanese gold threads and wings of long and short stitches bordered with more Japanese gold. The angels are united by their matching terracotta-coloured wings. The areas between the angels are unworked, as are the corner motifs. The top left and bottom right motifs are vines with grapes, the top right motif is a pomegranate, and the bottom left motif shows ears of wheat.
At the bottom of the framed sample is a label which reads, 'CHURCH WORK SAMPLER MADE IN THE R.S.N. TRAINING SCHOOL showing various stages in development'. This suggests that this item was an example of didactic material in the school or was used for display. The label's inclusion of the name 'RSN' rather than 'RSAN' for Royal School of Art Needlework suggests a production date of after 1922, when the school changed its name, but the style of embroidery suggests a production date of circa 1900. Perhaps, then, the label was added to this work later. The sampler is a close relation to RSN.2052, which is the same design but which was started at the RSN and was intended to be finished by a stitcher who purchased the design and work and finished it elsewhere.
Dimensions
width: 76cm
height: 76cm
height: 76cm
Materials
Stitches
Techniques
Motifs
Catalogue number
RSN.96
© Royal School of Needlework