Off the Roll: Highlights of a Global Textiles ProjectMain MenuOff the Roll: Highlights of a Global Textiles ProjectHome PageClothing - Wearable ArtCreatures - Real and ImaginedDecorative Techniques from Around the WorldSpiritual Iconography and Ceremonial ObjectsThe Things that Make a HomeTextiles Photography ProjectJessica Nelson9a5eb8d4bf9f59a8ae5935bcd61eb6b29c513138
91-332
1media/91-332_thumb.jpg2024-08-07T14:13:20+00:00Jessica Nelson9a5eb8d4bf9f59a8ae5935bcd61eb6b29c51313822Sampler (Mexican); image by Juan Arceplain2024-08-27T00:48:39+00:002024062014044720240620140447Jessica Nelson9a5eb8d4bf9f59a8ae5935bcd61eb6b29c513138
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12024-08-28T15:44:00+00:00Sampler (Mexican)2plain2024-09-05T20:02:47+00:00 Maker Once Known, Mexican People (Mexico) Sampler (n.d.) cotton, wool, silk 51.8 x 39.8 cm Gift of Louis Slavitz 91-332
This is an embroidery sampler from Mexico which likely dates to the the period of the 1800s-1900s, when embroidery was an important skill in which girls of all backgrounds needed to show proficiency. An exhibit on Mexican Embroidery at the V&A points to the rise of the crossed stitch technique in the 19th century, and discusses how this technique soon surpassed other stitching methods used in most examples of Mexican embroidery thereafter. This sampler features a hemmed beige cotton fabric background with cross stitched floral and geometric motifs arranged along edges in cotton, wool, and silk threads. It also includes some figurative work, also in cross-stitch: a monkey, two mermaids, and several birds including a pair drinking out of a fountain. We see the beginning of the alphabet (A-D) is stitched in black cotton thread, and the initials "AJ" stitched above the right-hand mermaid in red silk thread. It is likely that this piece was left incomplete as the stitcher moved on to other projects, given the incomplete alphabet, and the bald mermaids. We don't know the name of the girl was who created this sampler, but it is fun to see this reminder of her learning journey.
