Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry
Sampler, about 1810
This is a sampler worked by Ann Maria Phillips, aged 10 in about 1810
The first verse reads,
'Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand
As the first effort of an infant's hand
And while her fingers on the canvas move,
Engage her tender thoughts to seek thy love.
With thy dear children let she have a part,
And write thy name thyself upon her heart.
According to the V&A authorship of this is attributed by some to the hymn-writer John Newton (1725-1807), best known for 'Amazing Grace', who is said to have written it for the sampler of his niece. It has also been suggested that it was composed by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) for his niece.
The same verse also appears on Catherine Palmer's and Ann Dunkley's samplers.
The second phrase is from Proverbs 31:30 and reads,
Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman
that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.
SH.1951.4.6
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, about 1810
This is a sampler worked by Ann Maria Phillips, aged 10 in about 1810
The first verse reads,
'Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand
As the first effort of an infant's hand
And while her fingers on the canvas move,
Engage her tender thoughts to seek thy love.
With thy dear children let she have a part,
And write thy name thyself upon her heart.
According to the V&A authorship of this is attributed by some to the hymn-writer John Newton (1725-1807), best known for 'Amazing Grace', who is said to have written it for the sampler of his niece. It has also been suggested that it was composed by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) for his niece.
The same verse also appears on Catherine Palmer's and Ann Dunkley's samplers.
The second phrase is from Proverbs 31:30 and reads,
Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman
that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.
SH.1951.4.6
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.