Embroidered sampler

Unknown

1698 (possibly a later addition) · Silk on linen · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Samplers from Friesland, in the northwest of the Netherlands, are characterized chiefly by many alphabets and a tree of life motif. The work is dotted with domestic scenes and symbols, including a man walking a dog and several women positioned near or using tools, in addition to gardening tools, chairs, vases, and sewing pillows. The letters IA and IAS (or JA and JAS, as "I" and "J" were written interchangeably in the Latin alphabet at this time) and the year 1698 are stitched onto the linen, most likely the initials of the maker and the year in which she completed her work.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1698 (possibly a later addition)

Medium

Silk on linen

Culture

Dutch, Friesland

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

From the Collection of Mrs. Lathrop Colgate Harper, Bequest of Mabel Herbert Harper, 1957