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Sampler: T.17-1938

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Maker: Canting, Mary

Entities

Categories

Description

Band sampler worked in polychrome silks depicting alphabets, stylised flowers, arcaded flowers and panels containing initials.

Linen band sampler embroidered in polychrome silks in cross, hem, double running, Algerian eye, satin, chain, whipped stem and trellis stitch. The pattern consists of horizontal bands of lettering, and stylised floral and abstract motifs. The bottom half of the sampler contains an alphabet and the verse 'LOOK WELL TO WH/AT YOU TAKe IN HA/ND FOR LARNING IS/ BETTer THeN HOV/Se OR LAND WHeN L/AND IS GONE AND MO/NeY IS SPeNT THen/ LARNING IS MOST eX/CeLeNT. AVGVST the 18 1694.' Underneath this verse is another alphabet and the numbers 1 to 8. The bottom band consists of a panel with the initials 'MC' and on either side of it the initials 'IH' and 'M'. Surrounding the panel are a heart, a vase of flowers, two dogs and a bird.

Notes

History note: Unknown before donor

Legal notes

Mrs H.A. Longman Bequest

Measurements and weight

Length: 55.5 cm
Length: 22.3/8 in
Width: 16.25 cm
Width: 6½ in

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1938) by Longman, H. A., Mrs

Dating

17th Century, Late
William and Mary
Production date: AD 1694

Note

The dominance of lettering is typical for samplers of this period as literacy had become an increasingly important part of the education of young women, and the stitching of name, date, alphabets, and improving verses was seen as a means of instilling basic secular and moral education. The growing importance attached to lettering and literacy inevitably reduced the stitch variety on samplers.

This sampler is part of a group linked by the same name of a 'dame' or 'mistris' . (T.83-1928; T.1-1995)

Materials used in production

ground Linen
pink, blue, green, yellow Silk

Techniques used in production

Weaving : Linen, embroidered in polychrome silks in cross, hem, double running, Algerian eye, satin, chain, whipped stem and trellis stitch.
Embroidering

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: LOOK WELL TO WH/AT YOU TAKe IN HA/ND FOR LARNING IS/ BETTer THeN HOV/Se OR LAND WHeN L/AND IS GONE AND MO/NeY IS SPeNT THen/ LARNING IS MOST eX/CeLeNT. AVGVST the 18 1694.
  • Method of creation: Embroidered
  • Type: Inscription

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: T.17-1938
Primary reference Number: 110748
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Wednesday 31 May 2023 Last processed: Wednesday 13 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Sampler" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110748 Accessed: 2024-11-05 13:44:01

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/110748 |title=Sampler |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-05 13:44:01|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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