Art Institute of Chicago
Darning Sampler
Germany or NetherlandsLinkedCulture matchlcp-d11fad71a9e0
- Date
- 1801
- Medium
- Linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk in darning and cross stitches
- Culture
- Germany
- Department
- Textiles
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Object ID
- 50620
From the Art Institute of Chicago record
In the early 19th century, schoolgirls in Northern Europe made darning samplers to learn the crucial skill of mending, practicing a range of embroidery and darning techniques that could extend the life of garments and household textiles. Although these repairs have a beauty all their own when made in contrasting thread, they were ultimately intended to be invisible. The use of two-colored threads allowed students to discern the underlying weave structure; students would gradually transition to using one color of thread as they gained skill.
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Provenance & credit
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- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Harold Keele through the Needlework and Textile Guild
- Provenance
- Mrs. Harold Keele, Chicago, by Feb. 11, 1976 [Incoming receipt, RX10495, Feb. 11, 1976; copy in curatorial object file]; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1976.
Linked open data
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- Object type
- AAT300014063
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