The Sampler Sleuth
If Samplers Could Talk Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett
Animals join alphabets, buildings and flora as being among the most common motifs stitched in antique needlework. From grand mythological beasts to serene domestic pets, animals have taken a prominent place in stitching through the centuries.
Horses and other beasts of burden took their place in the expansive Bayeux Tapestry created sometime after the 1066 Norman conquest of England. Its origins and actual date are the subject of much scholarly debate.
Church embroideries of the 13th and 14th centuries contained symbolic animals whose purpose was to reinforce religious teaching. The embroidered pieces differed by culture, date and location, and in Europe, many were influenced by bestiaries—books from the Middle Ages that included drawings and accompanying texts describing dozens of animals and their characteristics.
Many meanings have been ascribed to creatures. A few include: the eagle standing for truth; the bee representing industry; and the sheep signifying the Lamb of God.
Deer, particularly the stag, make common appearances in historic needlework. Some are leaping, others reclining, and they are said to represent fertility, life, power, vitality and purity.
Birds, ranging from the simple sparrow to the vibrant parrot, also adorn samplers. Like the deer, the parrot has a variety of meanings, including female domesticity, loquacity, gossip and even Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Animals take on special significance in coats of arms and other heraldic stitching. Animals, including lions, may appear with crowns. Animals may be creatively combined, and some take on imaginary characteristics.
From the 18th century forward, animals were depicted in more natural settings: sheep in fields with shepherds (and sometimes shepherdesses), pets on velvet cushions, and birds in the sky above a house, church or barn.
As early pattern books became available, the same animals—often with individual variations created by the stitcher—started to appear in samplers. Even insects, moths and butterflies joined the menagerie.
Stumpwork insects are an especially intricate and often accurate fiber depiction of many species. This raised-surface embroidery technique has been enjoyed for centuries and entails many layers using a variety of fibers and stitches.
Animals also appear in embroidered fables, scripture, hunt scenes and pastoral settings. Quite often, scenes from the Garden of Eden feature not only Adam and Eve, but also the serpent twined in a Tree of Life: “’Twas of this tree the serpent he that luscious fruit did gather. Adam and Eve both did receive the thing that proved so bitter.”
One particular branch of canvas work includes what have come to be known as “Fishing Lady” pictures. These typically include a woman fishing on the banks of a stream. Often she is joined not only by friends, but also by wild and domestic animals frolicking among the hills and trees. An amazing example, Sarah Warren’s 1748 work from Boston, Mass., is on display at Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Del.
As with any needlework topic, additional reading and museum exploration will reveal many surprises about animals created with thread and needle.
Author’s note: To be perfectly honest, I must admit that I’m partial to samplers featuring cows. Why? I’ve been married to a dairy veterinarian for 40 years, so bovine beauties are a favorite in our family. If you know of any antique samplers featuring cows (or other critters), please email me at needleworkpress@gmail.com.