Sampler c. 1936

This 'Sampler' was stitched in 1831 by Mary Pyewell, and immediately strikes the eye with its quaint charm. Rendered in delicate cross-stitch, the artwork presents an array of motifs bordered by a floral vine. The subtle palette of greens, browns, and muted pinks gives the piece a gentle, aged quality. The structure of this sampler is defined by its arrangement of text and images. A pious verse is followed by stylized flora, fauna, and architectural forms, giving a glimpse into the maker’s world. The composition, while seemingly naive, reveals a carefully considered balance between the symbolic and the decorative. Mary Pyewell’s choice of subject matter, combined with the very act of stitching, suggests a desire to inscribe personal identity and values within the domestic sphere. Ultimately, this work functions as both a visual and textual record, inviting us to reflect on the intersections between craft, faith, and individual expression in the early 19th century.