Sarah Tatum 1800
From: $35.00
Origin and date: England (Ackworth School), 1800
Rated: Beginner
17″x18-1/2″
Stitches: Cross stitch
Source: Private collection
Description
SARAH TATUM 1800
A Quaker Sampler from the Ackworth School
The Quaker Friends School at Ackworth in Yorkshire, England, was founded in 1799 and was closely linked with the famous American Quaker schools at Westtown in Pennsylvania and the Nine Partners school in New York state. After this pivotal date (1800) most of the motifs on Ackworth samplers are similar to those on American Quaker school samplers with perhaps the exception of the floral and geometric medallions which continued to be more popular in England. Many of these motifs were used on small pincushions, stitched or sometimes knitted, that the girls enjoyed making and exchanging as gifts.
This particular example made by Sarah Tatum is replete with trademark Quaker School design elements including the very clear Roman style of lettering, floral sprays, paired birds, a swan, geometric/floral/animal centered medallions, both complete medallions and segments, all neatly organized and fitted together. An especially interesting design element in this sampler is the way she has randomly scattered the 26 letters of the alphabet and numerals 1 through 9, all about the body of the sampler. It’s interesting to puzzle out the location of all the letters, tucked in and around the various motifs, sideways, upside down and right side up. This quirky element of design appears on other Quaker samplers of this same period.
Only cross stitch is required to complete the sampler, which will measure approximately 17-1/4″ a 18-1/2″ on 40 count linen. The project is recommended for any level of skill. The original antique sampler was formerly in the collection of The Scarlet Letter.
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