Photo: Excerpt from the Blackburn Sampler.
1723 needlework at Quaker Tapestry Museum
'We cannot wait to put it on display for the public.’
The Quaker Tapestry Museum has bought a historic Quaker embroidery sampler dating back to the eighteenth century.
The Blackburn Sampler will be on show in an exhibition to celebrate this new addition. ‘Sampled Styles’ will also showcase samplers from the collection that have never been displayed, from 1 March.
According to the museum, the Blackburn Sampler dates from 1723 and ‘bridges the gap between the band sampler styles that became prevalent later in the 18th century and the spot samplers that were common at the end of the 17th century. It incorporates stylistic elements from both styles, with the letters of the alphabet, moralizing verse and bands of vegetative patterns seen in many of the museum’s other (later 18th and 19th century) samplers, whereas the two large flowers at the bottom are typical of earlier geometric spot motifs.’
Elizabeth Blackburn was born in Great Eccleston, Lancashire, near the sea, and by the River Wyre, which, according to the museum, explains the sampler featuring a ship. This links with early seafaring Quakers, depicted in the Quaker Tapestry.
Francesca Vine, curator at the museum, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that after a concerted effort, we are finally able to call the Blackburn Sampler our own. We cannot wait to put it on display for the public.’
Naomi Garnett, general manager of the museum, described the sampler as ‘a beautiful example of historic Quaker needlework’ which will help us to tell the story of women in the movement. ‘We are very thankful to the Museums Association’s Beecroft Bequest and all the individuals that donated to make this purchase possible.’
The staff added that, as the UK’s only accredited museum dedicated to Quaker social history, the Quaker Tapestry Museum has ‘a unique collection of Quaker samplers, with some having been made by family groups (mother-daughter and cousin/sibling). This new sampler will broaden the time-period of the collection, showcase a different style, and has a local connection’.
