Eliza Holmes, 1821
Name/Title
Eliza Holmes, 1821Entry/Object ID
2006.1.2Tags
Alphabet Sampler, Canvas work, Counted-thread embroidery, Embroidery, SamplerDescription
The sampler with a border of flowering vines and stylized trees around central panel with alphabet in four scripts, the bottom line reading: "Eliza Holmes, aged 16 years 1821," with two trees, potted flowers, small animals, and a goat across the bottom, 19th -century gold leaf frame, glazed; conservation mounted.Context
In 1821 two sisters from the small town of Campton, in central New Hampshire, made samplers which strongly resemble one another. Each sampler features graphic alphabets surrounded on three sides by wide borders of flowers and an outstanding scene of lawn of folky animals, birds, trees and flower baskets. The sampler made by Almira Holmes is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Samuel Holmes married Martha Palmer in Campton and they became the parents of ten children including their eldest Almira born in 1903 and Eliza. The second-born in 1805. the family remained in Campton and Eliza married Daniel James. The two samplers vary slightly, with Eliza's offering a slightly folkier personality than Almira's. A large goat and stylized trees dominate this composition with open-blossomed flowers providing strong visual appeal thorughout.Collection
ERS Sampler CollectionCategory
Sampler