Embroidery Sampler (Mexican)
Maker Once Known, Mexican People (Mexico)
Embroidery Sampler (19th century)
cotton, silk
74.3 x 40.0 cm
Gift of Louis Slavitz
91-312
This is an example of a 19th century Mexican embroidery sampler, with a cotton cloth base and silk thread stitching. While other samplers in this exhibit have been unfinished or examples of practice work, this sampler is fully covered with cross stitched designs. A similar example of this kind of work can be seen in this example from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The cross stitching covering the sampler from the HMA collection is predominantly geometric and floral, with some of the work oriented in lateral bands as on the right side of the sampler, and others more free form. In the center of the left side of the sampler, we see some figurative work, including a mermaid surrounded by flowers and few letters. Though the name of the stitcher who made this piece has been lost, this is a lovely example of craftsman(craftswoman)ship from 19th century Mexico.
This page has paths:
- Creatures - Real and Imagined Jennie Smithken-Lindsay
- Decorative Techniques from Around the World Jessica Nelson
