Needlework sampler
Object
Sampler
Production date
30/4/1774
Object number
1991.336
Physical Description
Beige background, multicolour cross - stitch flowers and Biblical text, 'Mary Hillum', (now sewn onto board), 400 x 420 x 50mm.
Sampler of cream plain-weave wool, embroidered in polychrome silk thread. Verse embroidered on sampler is Rev. XIV v.13. To the right side of the verse there is a design of flowers in a vase. The underdrawing, marked in grey, is visible in places.
Sampler of cream plain-weave wool, embroidered in polychrome silk thread. Verse embroidered on sampler is Rev. XIV v.13. To the right side of the verse there is a design of flowers in a vase. The underdrawing, marked in grey, is visible in places.
Object history
This sampler was created by Mary Hillum when she was only 9 years old. Mary came from a non-conformist family in Stoke Newington
For nearly two hundred years Hackney’s rural surroundings made it the most fashionable place in London for private boarding schools. Girls’ schools were so common that Hackney was known as ‘The Ladies’ University of Female Arts’. However, advertisements for the schools concentrated on clean air and good diet, rather than the quality of education. Before long, Hackney was known as a place where ‘young maids learn pride and wantonness’.
In private schools girls learned the ‘domestic arts’ of sewing, cooking and entertaining. Being good at these skills was meant to find them husbands.
For nearly two hundred years Hackney’s rural surroundings made it the most fashionable place in London for private boarding schools. Girls’ schools were so common that Hackney was known as ‘The Ladies’ University of Female Arts’. However, advertisements for the schools concentrated on clean air and good diet, rather than the quality of education. Before long, Hackney was known as a place where ‘young maids learn pride and wantonness’.
In private schools girls learned the ‘domestic arts’ of sewing, cooking and entertaining. Being good at these skills was meant to find them husbands.
Associated Person
Mary Hillum (Made by)
On display?
Yes
Inscription
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Mary Hillum wrought this April the 30 1774.
Mary Hillum wrought this April the 30 1774.