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Sampler
Caroline Allen (American, born in 1812)
American
1823
Object Place: United States
Medium/Technique
Linen plain weave embroidered with silk
Dimensions
43.3 x 44.3 cm (17 1/16 x 17 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Misses Mildred and Margaret Allen
Accession Number51.1947
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionSampler worked in satin, running, and variety of cross stitches; upper half of sampler divided into narrow horizontal bands of alphabet letters, Arabic numerals, angular strawberry vine and inscription: "wrought by Miss Caroliine Allen born June the 12 1812 aged 11 yars November the 2 1823," at bottom house and enclosed garden at left flower filled basket at right; in lower part inscription: "Look on yon flower whose lovely hue
Attracts the Passing travellers eye"
Before it Gemmed with radiant dew
And trembling at a zePhyrs sigh.
Mark how the fragrence scents the air
And in its bosom woos the breeze
Or rather courts the beautious fair
Too sure thebeautious fair to Please
Behold again by some rude hand
Is severed from its parent stem
Its leaves are withering on the sand
Its stalk lies dead and sear by them
O then be wise ye beauties bright
By erudition unrefined
And to oyur outward charms unite
The beauties of a cultured mind.
Stitches: cross, detached chain, four-sided, and satin
Attracts the Passing travellers eye"
Before it Gemmed with radiant dew
And trembling at a zePhyrs sigh.
Mark how the fragrence scents the air
And in its bosom woos the breeze
Or rather courts the beautious fair
Too sure thebeautious fair to Please
Behold again by some rude hand
Is severed from its parent stem
Its leaves are withering on the sand
Its stalk lies dead and sear by them
O then be wise ye beauties bright
By erudition unrefined
And to oyur outward charms unite
The beauties of a cultured mind.
Stitches: cross, detached chain, four-sided, and satin
ProvenanceGift of Misses Mildred and Margaret Allen to MFA, 1951