Sampler
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Cotton; embroidered in silk
Dimensions
H. 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm) W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Department
Islamic Art
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
57.122.63
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century sampler crafted from cotton embroidered with vibrant silk threads, measures 18⅝ × 12½ inches (47.3 × 31.8 cm). Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it exemplifies the intricate textile traditions of the Islamic world. Samplers like this served as personal practice pieces, allowing makers—often skilled women—to master a repertoire of stitches and patterns, blending utility with artistic expression. In the 19th century embroidery was a cornerstone of Islamic material culture, adorning garments, household textiles, and ceremonial items across...