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Sampler: T.2-1952

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Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Linen sampler embroidered with red, green, and black silk, linen, silver, and silver-gilt threads in back, buttonhole, hem, ladder and plaited braid stitches various composite stitches. There is also cut and drawn work with needle lace filling stitches. All the edges are hemmed. The sampler has seven detached squares of cut and drawn work with silk and metal thread embroidery, five small examples of metal thread work, and one band of cut and drawn work with unfinished needlepoint lace fillings showing how the patterns were built up.

Notes

History note: Sir William Lawrence when published in 1926; Lady St John Hope

Legal notes

Lady St John Hope Bequest

Measurements and weight

Length: 16.5 cm
Length: 6.3/8 in
Width: 20.5 cm
Width: 8 in

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1952-10-23) by Hope, St John, Lady

Dating

16th Century, Late-17th Century, Early
After 1575 CE - Before 1625 CE

Note

This sampler, stylistically would seem to reflect the complex embroidery techniques popularly used on English costume and accessories of the period, and also the common pattern sources available to both English and continental needlewomen.

Materials used in production

embroidery Silk
ground & embroidery Linen

Techniques used in production

Weaving : Linen sampler embroidered with red, green, and black silk, linen, silver, and silver-gilt threads in back, buttonhole, hem, ladder and plaited braid stitches with various composite stitches. There is also cut and drawn work with needle lace filling stitches and all the edges are hemmed.
Embroidering
Cut and drawn work
Needlepoint (lace)

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: T.2-1952
Primary reference Number: 110905

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Friday 8 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/110905 Accessed: 2025-12-05 13:04:11

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/110905 |title=Sampler |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 13:04:11|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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