Lemon Tree Flanked by Griffins
1854-1864
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Lemon Tree Flanked by Griffins
1854-1864
Physical Qualities
Linen ground, silk embroidery threads, 21 x 21 in. (53.3 x 53.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Francis White, from the Collection of Mrs. Miles White, Jr.
Object Number
1973.76.386
A virtually square sampler worked in silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground. The top third of the sampler is worked in an alphabet of capital letters:
"ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQRSTUVXY/Z" [No "J", no "W"]
followed by a line of numbers:
"12345678910.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18".
To the right of the two lines of numbers and letters, forming the first motif of the sampler, is a cross with its members finished with arrows and an "X" added at the intersection of vertical and horizontal . The cross and rows of letters and numbers are worked only in green threads. Below this is a floral border design. A second border design is below and a wider border of chained circles worked in green and yellow. In the lower two-thirds of the sampler a larger naturalistic floral border separates the upper section. Floral motifs, birds, deer, vases, a memorial urn with weeping willow, small animals, butterflies, and two winged griffens, their paws poised on either side of an urn containing a large lemon and/or orange tree fill the remainer of the space. Colors of embroidery incude medium green, medium yellow, greyish taupe, lt. pink, coral, medium blue, lt. yellow, pale blue, copery brown, yellow-green, white, violet red, black, coppery taupe, pale green, dark blue green, dark yellow green, yellow green, creamy white, lt. blue, peach, dark gold, lt. yellow, dark olive green, and medium yellow green.
The top and side edges are finished with a short fringe approx. 1/4" wide. The bottom edge has a finished hem. Just inside the hem and fringe edges on all sides are two lines of dull lt. beige cross stitches, the first offset from the second.
The ground fabric is a plain-woven linen with approximately 37 warps and wefts per inch. Most fibers are one ply twisted Z.
The sampler is now conservation mounted and framed in a reproduction frame.custom gilded frame in the 18th c Italian-style. water gild and burnish. Distress and tone to appear as a well-preserved original surface. Deliver and fit on-site with UV-filtering glass, custom spacers and acid-free backing.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1973; Nancy Brewster (Mrs. Frances White) by inheritance; Virginia Purviance Bonsal (Mrs. Miles White, Jr.).
Marcus B. Huish, "Samplers & Tapestry Embroideries," 2nd ed., New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1970, p 111.
Donald King, "Samplers," London: Victoria and Albert Museu, 1960, p. 13 and figs. 80-81.
Carol Humphrey, "Samplers," Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks, Cambridge, England: University of Cambridge, 1997, p. 132 Cat. # 61.
Clare Browne and Jennifer Wearden, "Samplers from the Victoria and Albert Museum," London: V&A Publications, 1999, pl. 92, p. 120, T.24-1916.
Raffaella Serena, "Berlin Work: Samplers & Embroidery of the Nineteenth Century, Berkely, CA: Lacis, 1996, pp. 34, 37.
Donald King, "Samplers," London: Victoria and Albert Museu, 1960, p. 13 and figs. 80-81.
Carol Humphrey, "Samplers," Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks, Cambridge, England: University of Cambridge, 1997, p. 132 Cat. # 61.
Clare Browne and Jennifer Wearden, "Samplers from the Victoria and Albert Museum," London: V&A Publications, 1999, pl. 92, p. 120, T.24-1916.
Raffaella Serena, "Berlin Work: Samplers & Embroidery of the Nineteenth Century, Berkely, CA: Lacis, 1996, pp. 34, 37.
Inscribed: No name, date, or other inscription than that of alphabets and numbers under description.
