Abigail (Naby) Lord
Sampler

Sampler

Public Domain

Sampler
MakerAmerican, 1754–1821
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Sampler
Date1765
Made inNorwich, Connecticut, United States
MediumSilk and metal on linen mounted on wood
Dimensions11 1/4 × 10 in. (28.6 × 25.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the W. H. Keenan Family Endowment
Object numberB.2012.3
Not on view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThe most significant group of 18th-century needlework from Connecticut was produced by the girls in Norwich, which was the commercial center of the eastern part of the state. By the 1760s, a distinct style emerged, which persisted into the early 19th century. The first examples tend to be small and in a square format filled with roses, tulips, carnations, and stylized trees that are executed against a black background. They often incorporate a Greek key pattern that in time became an enveloping border. Abigail (Naby) Lord’s sampler, dated 1765, is among the earliest and most brilliantly executed, and appears to retain its original frame. Naby was the daughter of Elizabeth and Eleazar Lord of Norwich, and in 1786 she became the wife of Mundator Tracy.
ProvenanceBetty Ring (1923–2014), Houston; Estate of Betty Ring; consigned to [Sotheby's, New York, Important Schoolgirl Embroidery: The Landmark Collection of Betty Ring, January 22, 2012, sale 8832, lot 567]; purchased by MFAH, 2012.
Exhibition History"American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring at the Museum of American Folk Art," Museum of American Folk Art, New York (image p. 22, fig. 34)
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
ABCDEFGHI (no J) KL \ MMOPQRSTU \ VWXYZ1234 \ 567890 \0
Naby Lords done in the \ 11th year of her age
abcdefghi (no j) klmnopqrstuvw \ xyz& may the 24th AD 1765
Who can find a virtuous wom \ -an for her price is far above rubies.
verso upper left:
white label in black text:
"EAMA 297 NO (9832?) NOP 1 / (bar code) / 3TQ8B X/ by Abby Lord, Sampler"
verso upper left:
blue circular label in black text:
"SOTHEBY'S / 567 / NEW YORK"
verso:
white label in black text:
"Ring / 155"

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