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Sampler: T.176-1928

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Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Production: Breillat, Maddeleine

Entities

Categories

Description

Linen sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in cross and satin stitch. Three of the edges are hemmed and there is a selvedge at the bottom. The sampler is inscribed with the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in French. The inscription is worked over two horizontal tables named 'Premiére table' and 'La seconde table'. In addition to the Commandments, the following is worked ' Fait par moi Magdelaine Breillet Agée de huit ans et 3 mois 1743-4'.

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Length: 64.5 cm
Length: 20.1/2 in
Width: 42 cm
Width: 16.3/4 in

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century
1743 CE - 1744 CE

Note

To find the Ten Commandments worked in tablet form in French seems double anachronistic. firstly, one of the major differences between English and Continental samplers is the prevalence of inscription on the former, and the almost complete absence of it on the latter, apart from alphabets, initials or name and a date. Secondly it seems unlikely that French Catholic girl would have been familiar with the painted boards of the Church of England.

Materials used in production

red, blue, green, cream, white, brown, pink Silk
Linen

Techniques used in production

Weaving : Linen sampler embroidered with polychrome silks in cross and satin stitch. Three of the edges are hemmed and there is a selvedge at the bottom.
Embroidering

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: T.176-1928
Primary reference Number: 110722

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 28 August 2025

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 (2025) "Sampler" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/110722 Accessed: 2025-12-06 13:35:16

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/110722 |title=Sampler |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-06 13:35:16|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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