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For internal use only
On Display: House - Simsbury Room
Sampler (Fancy sampler)
Lydia Fitch
1793
Description
This silk on linen sampler was worked in 1793 by Lydia Fitch of Suffield, Connecticut when she was 10 years old. Most girls from well-to-do households in the 18th century were making two samplers, a plain marking sampler, and later as their skill grew, a more decorative fancy sampler. The fancy sampler could be so intricate that it could take several months to finish. Perhaps Lydia intended to work a complete solid background, but either gave up, or realized that the writing did not show enough with a black ground. The inscription on Lydia's sampler reads: "LYDIA FITCH of / Suffield Aged Ten Years / March Eighteenth AD 17903"
Category
Textiles (Needlework)
Creator/Artist/Maker
Lydia Fitch (Maker)
Place of Origin
Suffield; Connecticut; New England; United States; North America
Materials
- Linen
- Silk
Museum Object Number
1991.0034 A
Credit Line/Donor
Museum purchase
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Complete Details
Object Number
1991.0034 A
Object Name
Sampler (Fancy sampler)
Category
Textiles (Needlework)
Creator (Role)
Lydia Fitch (Maker)
Place of Origin
Suffield; Connecticut; New England; United States; North America
Date
1793
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Inscription
Location: on sampler
Inscription: "LYDIA FITCH of / Suffield Aged Ten Years / March Eighteenth AD 17903" (embroidered thread)
Mark/Signature: Yes
Materials
- Linen
- Silk
Techniques
- Embroidered
- Woven (plain)
Construction Description
Hand-embroidered
Dimensions (inches)
11 (W) x 11 (L)
Dimensions (centimeters)
27.94 (W) x 27.94 (L)
Measurement Notes
Measurements of the area visible within the frame.