Embroidered sampler 1791

This embroidered sampler was crafted by Jane Wilson around the turn of the 19th century. The border is replete with symbols and motifs: flowers, strawberries, and vines surround alphabets and homilies. Notice the strawberries at the bottom. In medieval times, the strawberry symbolized righteousness and spiritual merit; later, it became a symbol for perfection. Its presence here perhaps underscores the virtues Wilson was taught and expected to embody. These motifs resonate across cultures. Consider how floral patterns, akin to those surrounding the alphabet, find echoes in the tapestries of the Renaissance, or even in ancient Minoan frescoes. These patterns speak to our inherent connection to the natural world, a connection deeply embedded in our collective psyche. This sampler is more than a display of skill; it is a testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, continuously resurfacing across time.