Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry
Sampler, 1858
This is a sampler worked by Mary Jane Brown aged 9 in 1858. It is interesting that given the discovery of synthetic dyes in 1856 and the increasing number of colours available to Mary (compare this with Martha Barnes') that she has chosen to work the sampler in black.
This sampler is currently on display in the Hazards of Life section of our History Gallery.
SH.1960.67
Samplers were first made in the 1400s or 1500s as a way of remembering different types of stitches or patterns. Over time they evolved into pieces of work made by young girls, proving their knowledge and patience.
The Herbert has over 60 samplers in its collection. With volunteers from NADFAS we have recently completed a project to improve their storage and to make them more accessible. You can see some of the samplers on display at the Herbert in the History Gallery, Connected and in What's in Store.
Sampler, 1858
This is a sampler worked by Mary Jane Brown aged 9 in 1858. It is interesting that given the discovery of synthetic dyes in 1856 and the increasing number of colours available to Mary (compare this with Martha Barnes') that she has chosen to work the sampler in black.
This sampler is currently on display in the Hazards of Life section of our History Gallery.
SH.1960.67
Samplers were first made in the 1400s or 1500s as a way of remembering different types of stitches or patterns. Over time they evolved into pieces of work made by young girls, proving their knowledge and patience.
The Herbert has over 60 samplers in its collection. With volunteers from NADFAS we have recently completed a project to improve their storage and to make them more accessible. You can see some of the samplers on display at the Herbert in the History Gallery, Connected and in What's in Store.