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Mourning embroidery

Mary Wright (American (Albany, New York), 1784–1853)
American (Albany, New York)
1803
Object Place: Albany, New York

Medium/Technique Silk satin embroidered with silk, graphite
Dimensions 45.7 x 61.0 cm (18 x 24 in.) framed
Credit Line Bequest of Robert C. and Mary Lou Sutter
Accession Number2017.1331
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsTextiles

DescriptionEmbroidered mourning pictures in black and white depicting a young woman standing over a tomb inscribed to "Mrs. Anna Gazley." A second tomb in the background is inscribed to Jonathan Titus Heartt. Original frame and painted glass inscribed "Mary Wright, FECIT 1803". Willow and oak trees framing figure and plinths are embroidered with black, dark green and golden yellow silk threads.
Inscriptions"MARY WRIGHT, FECIT, 1803" in gilt on frame.

Written in ink on plinth in foreground:
"Mrs. Anna Gazley
Died 5th Oct. 1798 Aged 72 Ys
10 Mos & 26 Days"

Written in ink on in middle ground:
"Jonathan Titus Heartt
Died 19th June 1792
Age 1 year 16 Days"
ProvenanceBy 2012, Robert and Mary Lou Sutter, Hanson, MA; 2017, bequest of Robert and Mary Lou Sutter to the MFA. (Accession date: June 21, 2017)