Sampler

Date1837

Artist Rosaline Weeden (American (Rhode Island?))

CultureAmerican

MediumSilk threads on linen ground

DimensionsSight (mostly square): 17 1/2 x 17 1/4 in. (44.4 x 43.8 cm)
Framed (vintage frame with glass): 18 3/4 x 18 1/4 x 1/2 in. (47.6 x 46.4 x 1.3 cm)

Credit LineTransfer from Vassar College Libraries, Special Collections, Martha Clawson Reed Collection

On View

Not on view

Period19th c

Classification(s)

SignedLL: Rosaline Weeden

InscribedThe Hour is Come I will not Stay/ But Haste to School without Delay/ These Golden Hours wil soon be o'er/ When I can go to School no more/ How shallI then Endure the thought/ At bottom: Rosaline Weeden's Sampler Wrought in her 12th year East Greenwich Dec 1837 On Having Spent my Time for nought

DescriptionRosaline Weeden's sampler is a study in queen stitch with that embroidery technique prevailing in the bottom register to depict a stylized scene of rolling hills supporting strawberries and trees, as well as in a decorative "lighting" band incorporating strawberries. This band is bordered top and bottom by lines of satin stitch chevrons. Dividing bands between the lines of verse are a cutwork with faggoted vertical threads wrapped in blue silk. Flanking the verse are angular bowls with geometric patterning holding strawberries on stems all worked in queen stitch. At the top of the sampler 3 alphabets verse, dividing bands and a small strawberry band as well as a honeysuckle border feature queen stitch, cross stitch, eyelet and simple cutwork and faggotting. A hemstitch border is worked in a pulled chevron. Thread colors are in blue, pink, red, green and gold thread.
The Weeden family immigrated from England to Rhode Island in the mid-17th Century. Branches of the family are also related by marriage to the indigenous Narragansett tribe. However, Rosaline Weeden has not yet been found in any documents. This sampler is her only record.

Terms

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu