Sampler
Medium:Linen tabby with silk and wool cross-stitch embroidery and drawn work
Geography: Mexico
Date: 1750-1850
Object number: 2002.19.30
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. Kent Newcomb. Certified by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board under the terms of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Attestée par la Commission canadienne d'examen des exportations de biens culturels en vertu de la Loi sur l'exportation et l'importation de biens culturels.
Description
This sampler is worked with
geometric and floral border patterns, peacocks and other birds, and drawn work.
The tree of life, a popular design on
many samplers, is represented here by a stylized pot or vase of flowers. Spanish
needlework techniques were widely taught in Mexican convents. Exemplars, or
samplers, allowed pupils to practice their newly-acquired skills, and provided
useful memoranda of stitches and designs. Few, if any, samplers survive from
the early decades of colonial rule, but 18th and 19th century examples offer
invaluable information about popular embroidery styles. Today, in rural Mexico
where clothing is still embroidered, samplers from girlhood are kept and
consulted, and play a vital role in continuing this needlework tradition.
