Sampler (Band or marking sampler)

Description

This is a silk on linen band or marking sampler with a fancy wide border. It was worked in 1788 by Abigail Purinton of Reading, Massachusetts when she was 10 years old. Toward the end of the 18th century young girls were increasingly adding pictorial elements to their marking samplers. There became less of an emphasis on recording stitches and more of a focus on elaborately worked motifs, borders, and decorative designs. Abigail's niece, Beulah Purinton of Danvers, Massachusetts, worked her fancy marking sampler also at the age of 10. Both samplers are in Winterthur's collection. The inscription on Abigail's sampler reads: "Abigail Purintun Her Sampler Aged 10 1788"