Textiles (Needlework)
Christian Williams (Maker)
Lebanon or Norwich Connecticut, United States, North America
Linen; Wool; Metal
Embroidered, Woven (plain), Canvaswork
1965.3080
Object Number1965.3080 |
Needlework picture (Canvaswork picture)
Textiles (Needlework)
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Christian Williams (Maker)
1738-1816
This canvaswork picture, dated 1751, was worked by Christian Williams of Norwich, Connecticut, using wool yarns on canvas. Christian (1738-1816) was the eighth child out of eleven, and was named after her grandmother, Christian Stoddard Williams. Her father was the highly respected and influential Reverend Solomon Williams (1701-1776) of Lebanon, who was also the first cousin of the Reverend Jonathan Edwards. Her mother was Mary Porter (1703-1787), also from Lebanon. Rachel married her sister Mary's (1733-1793) brother-in-law John Salter (1725-1795) of Mansfield. Christian was the grandmother of Christian and Harriet Salter, whose later needlework pictures can be found in other collections. See Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery Fig. 226, pg. 197 (Fig. 223 for her sister Mary's work and Figs. 248 and 246 for Christian and Harriet Salters work.)
Lebanon or Norwich Connecticut, United States, North America
Biblical scene
Linen; Wool; Metal
Embroidered, Woven (plain), Canvaswork
Hand-embroidered
16.5 (L) , 21 (W)
41.91 (L) , 53.34 (W)
Measurements are by sight. Dimensions refer to area of needlework visible within frame.
Christian Williams worked this canvaswork picture in 1751 with crewel yarns and metallic threads on linen canvas. Christian was from Norwich, Connecticut. Christian and her sister Mary Williams, whose canvaswork picture can be found in another collection, may have been tutored by the same teacher. At the time that their pictures were wrought, a schoolmistress, who was teaching needlework skills to the daughters of prominent families, was drawing patterns portraying Biblical subjects with human figures in Colonial dress. Although Christian's picture does not seem to be Biblical in nature, it could possibly represent a story from the Bible. The inscription reads: "CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS / 1751"
[Book] Ring, Betty. 1993 Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850. I.
• Published: p. 197, fig. 226
[Book] Schoelwer, Susan P. 2010 Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, And Family, 1740-1840.
• Published: p. 46, fig. 9.1