Hannah Hall
England, 1785
Eighteenth century English samplers can offer beautifully worked lettering and finely worked motifs; some instructresses in this period are known for insisting that the reverse of samplers appear almost as neatly worked as the front. Hannah Hall’s work is an excellent example as indicated by the photo taken of the reverse prior to mounting (see below).
The verse and couplet that Hannah stitched are unusual and not frequently found on schoolgirl samplers. The source of “Fortitude” is a book entitled, Youth’s Entertaining and Instructive Calendar for the Jubilee Year 1750, published in London in 1749. The couplet stitched above the wonderful Irish-stitch band was also published in London, The Accomplished Female Instructor or A very useful Companion for Ladies, Gentlewomen and Others (1704).
The inscription, “Hannah Hall Her Work 1785” is nicely centered between branches of little flower blossoms. Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a molded maple frame.
photo of reverse