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Mary Shields's Sampler

American History Museum

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    Object Details

    maker

    Shields, Mary

    Description

    Two block alphabets of 26 letters. Two rows of evenly spaced small motifs (hearts, birds, crowns, eight-pointed stars). Two small dogs in lower corners. Five whole and four partial geometric crossbands. No border. Wool and silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 30, weft 32/in.
    Inscriptions:
    "On God for all events depend you cannot
    want when Gods your friend
    The Ant against Cold winter wisely hoard
    Provision which The Summer's wealth afford
    Reading a Silent Lesson to mankind that they
    Ending moove not behind
    Better'n the Kindnesses that you Receive
    As far as your ability which leave nothing is
    More unmannerly than muth as that vile
    temper of ingratitude
    (This last verse has been badly repaired, and should read: Return the kindnesses that you receive
    As far as your ability gives leave Nothing is
    more unmannerly nor rude Than that vile
    temper of ingratitude)
    Mary Shields May the 30 1827"
    Background:
    Nothing is known about the life of Mary Shields.

    Credit Line

    Gift of Mr. Roger Pryor Templin

    Date made

    1827

    ID Number

    TE.T11676

    catalog number

    T11676

    accession number

    219034

    Object Name

    sampler

    Physical Description

    linen (ground fabric material)
    silk (embroidery thread material)

    Measurements

    overall: 15 3/4 in x 13 in; 40.005 cm x 33.02 cm

    Place Made

    World

    See more items in

    Home and Community Life: Textiles
    Samplers
    Textiles

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    depicted

    Alphabets

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-af0b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_1214449

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