Embroidered Sampler: Starr Coat of Arms
ca. 1775
Medium
Embroidered silk on linen
Dimensions
16 x 22 1/4 in. (40.6 x 56.5 cm)
Classification
Sampler
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Barbara Schiff Sinauer, 1984
Accession Number
1984.331.21
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the heart of colonial America around 1775, Sarah Starr crafted this exquisite embroidered sampler featuring the Starr family coat of arms. Measuring 16 x 22¼ inches, the work showcases a heraldic emblem adorned with birds, symbols of lineage and pride typical of British-influenced American families during the Revolutionary era. Displayed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it was generously gifted by Barbara Schiff Sinauer in 1984. Samplers like this were more than decorative; they served as essential education for young girls, honing embroidery skills while preserving famil...