Sampler

Zamora, ca. 1880

Rectangular sampler in ecru-coloured linen taffeta, with hemmed edges. Decoration: Geometric, zoomorphic, human and epigraphic, in needlepoint and cross stitch and their derivatives in brown, yellow, blue and black silk threads. The pattern is an outer frame with juxtaposed flower motif and 28 horizonal rows that alternate letters and numbers with other motifs.

The motif runs as follows: `A/BASKET/B C/ VASE/D E/CROSS/FG/STAR and BAR/ HI/S/ J L/FRUIT BOWL (in a larger size than the rest of the motifs) LL M/ garland/N/ garland/Ñ O/carnation/ P Q/ child with a lantern/ R S T/V X Y/ Z/ STARS/LOOSE THREADS`.

A curious element of the piece is that the last two lines are embroidered on the back in the opposite direction of the alphabet and the numbers `A B C D E F G H I J K L LL M N Ñ O P Q R/ S T U V X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10`. Tassels on the four corners in silk thread (the one from the top right-hand corner is missing.

Inventory: MT-001751