Sampler
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Cotton and silk on cotton
Dimensions
L. 52 3/4 x W. 6 1/2 inches (134 x 16.5 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
German or Austrian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
From the Collection of Mrs. Lathrop Colgate Harper, Bequest of Mabel Herbert Harper, 1957
Accession Number
57.122.66
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century sampler, likely from German or Austrian origins, exemplifies the intricate world of embroidered textiles cherished in European homes. Measuring an impressive 52¾ by 6½ inches, its long, narrow band format is typical of "band samplers," designed to showcase a repertoire of stitches rather than a single pictorial scene. Crafted with cotton and silk threads on a cotton ground, the silk lends a subtle sheen that highlights the meticulous craftsmanship. Samplers like this were educational tools for young girls, teaching essential sewing skills while instilling virtues l...