Chapter I: Front Matter

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Transcriber's Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

Superscripted characters are enclosed by curly brackets
(example: March 27{th}).

The original text includes a diamond symbol that is
represented as [Diamond] in this text version.

SAMPLERS AND TAPESTRY EMBROIDERIES

_Tho our Countrie everywhere is fil'd
With ladies and with gentlewomen skil'd
In this rare art, yet here they may discerne
Some things to teach them if they list to learne
And as this booke some cunning workes doth teach
Too high for meane capacities to reache
So for weake learners other workes here be
As plaine and easie as an A B C._
--THE NEEDLE'S EXCELLENCY.

(FRONTISPIECE.)

The very unusual piece of Embroidery reproduced as our Frontispiece may date from the Accession of Queen Elizabeth, in which case it is the earliest specimen of an embroidery picture that we have seen. It would appear to be the creation of some exultant Protestant rejoicing at the restoration of his religion, which to him is "Good tidings of great joy"; for his Queen holds the Bible open at this verse, and is ready to defend it with her sword. Edward VI. also upholds the Bible in his upraised hand, whilst Henry VIII. has one foot on the downtrodden Pope, and the other on his crown, which he has kicked from his head. Popery is portrayed in Mary with her Rosary and Papal-crowned Dragon. The presence of the Thistle raises a doubt as to its being of the Elizabethan age, but although this flower consorts with the Rose it also does so with a pansy, which deprives it of its value as an emblem of Scotland. The piece belongs to the Corporation of Maidstone.]

SAMPLERS & TAPESTRY EMBROIDERIES

by

MARCUS B. HUISH, LL.B.

Author of "Japan and its Art," "Greek Terra Cotta Statuettes" "The American Pilgrim's Way," &c.

SECOND EDITION

With 24 Coloured Plates and 77 Illustrations in the Text

Longmans, Green, and Co. 39 Paternoster Row, London New York, Bombay, and Calcutta 1913 All rights reserved

Preface to the Second Edition

_I have explained, in the chapter upon English Needlework with which this volume opens, the reasons which prompted me to take up the subject of Samplers and Tapestry Embroideries, and I have here only to thank the many who, since its first issue, have expressed their acknowledgment of the pleasure they have derived from it, and to record my gratification that it has induced some of them to start the study and collection of these interesting objects._

_In the present edition several American Samplers of considerable interest, kindly furnished by correspondents in that country, are noted and illustrated._

_I am indebted to the publishers for putting the present volume on the market at a more popular price than the expense of the first edition permitted._

Contents

PAGES

ENGLISH NEEDLEWORK.--ITS PRACTICE IN PAST TIMES.--ITS PLACE
AMONGST THE MINOR ARTS.--MR RUSKIN'S VIEWS AS TO NEEDLEWORK
IN A MUSEUM.--LACK OF A HISTORY.--EXHIBITION OF SAMPLERS.--
RANGE OF THIS VOLUME 1-5

PART I.--SAMPLERS.--THE NEED OF.--THE AGE OF.--INSCRIPTIONS
ON.--ALPHABETS AND NUMERALS ON.--SIGNATURES ON.--INSCRIPTIONS
ON.--DESIGN, ORNAMENT, AND COLOURING OF, INCLUDING: THE HUMAN
FIGURE; ANIMALS; FLOWERS.--FURTHER INSCRIPTIONS ON.--VERSES
WHICH COMMEMORATE RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS; WHICH TAKE THE FORM OF
PRAYERS AND DEDICATIONS; WHICH REFER TO LIFE AND DEATH; WHICH
INCULCATE DUTIES TO PARENTS AND PRECEPTORS; WHICH HAVE
REFERENCE TO VIRTUE OR VICE, WEALTH OR POVERTY.--QUAINT
INSCRIPTIONS; CROWNS; CORONETS; HEARTS; BORDERS.--MISCELLANEA
RESPECTING SAMPLERS, NAMELY:--THE AGE AND SEX OF THE WORKERS;
THE PLACE OF ORIGIN OF SAMPLERS; SAMPLERS AS RECORDS OF
NATIONAL EVENTS; MAP SAMPLERS; AMERICAN SAMPLERS; FOREIGN
SAMPLERS; SAMPLER LITERATURE; THE LAST OF THE SAMPLERS 7-122

PART II.--EMBROIDERIES IN THE MANNER OF TAPESTRY PICTURES.--
LARGE NUMBERS EXHIBITED AT FINE ART SOCIETY'S.--OPPORTUNITY
FOR THEIR EXAMINATION, AND FOR MAKING RECORD OF THEIR
HISTORY.--DIFFICULTIES SURROUNDING INVESTIGATION OF ORIGIN OF
INDUSTRY.--NO APPARENT INFANCY.--NO SPECIMENS DISCOVERABLE
EARLIER THAN ELIZABETHAN ERA.--THEORY AS TO FASHION
ORIGINATING WITH INTRODUCTION OF TAPESTRY MANUFACTURE TO
ENGLAND.--PARTICULARS OF THAT MANUFACTURE.--THREE-FOLD
INTEREST OF PICTURE EMBROIDERIES: (1) SUBJECTS DEPICTED
THEREON; (2) HISTORICAL MATERIAL AS TO FASHIONS; (3) AS
SPECIMENS OF NEEDLEWORK.--PARTICULARS RESPECTING SUBJECTS,
FASHIONS OF DRESS, HORTICULTURE, ETC. 123-141