Sampler made at a charity school

19th century

Not on view

The earliest British charity schools for poor and orphaned children were founded around the country by local gentry, to support and educate children whose families lived in the vicinity. In the eighteenth century, the number of institutions increased significantly. Arguably the most famous of these is the Foundling Hospital in London established by Thomas Coram in 1741; the charity still exists today as the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children. Most of these small samplers were monochrome; made to be included in a book of stitching exercises. This more colorful example might have been made into a pincushion or other decorative item to be sold as a fund raiser for the school.

Artwork Details

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Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Sampler made at a charity school
Date: 19th century
Culture: British
Medium: Silk embroidery on linen
Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 x W. 2 1/2 inches (6.7 x 6.4 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
Credit Line: From the Collection of Mrs. Lathrop Colgate Harper, Bequest of Mabel Herbert Harper, 1957
Object Number: 57.122.733
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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