Sampler
Maker
Eliza Ann Van Mater
Period1832
MediumSilk plied embroidery thread on plain linen ground
DimensionsSight: 17 × 8 in. (43.2 × 20.3 cm)
SignedAt the bottom of the sampler is the signature "Eliza Ann Van Mater / Aged 8 years. 1832. "
ClassificationsNeedlework
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Jennie S. Van Mater, 1935
Object number813
DescriptionThis elongated rectangular sampler is worked in light blue, dark blue, green, brown, tan, off-white, and pale yellow plied silk threads on a plain weave fine linen ground. Five sets of alphabets are embroidered on the sampler: at the top, an upper case alphabet worked in simple cross stitch; next, an upper case alphabet worked in square stitch; third, a large upper case alphabet including letters A through V worked in Algerian eyelet stitch; fourth, a cursive upper case alphabet including letters A through W worked in cross stitch; and fifth, a lower case alphabet including all 26 letters as well as a complete numeral set from 1 through 9 and 0. Each alphabet set is divided by decorative bandings in a variety of stitches including cross, chain, queen, and eyelet. Below all five sets of alphabets is a Greek key band in off white. At the bottom of the sampler, the inscription "Eliza Ann Van Mater / Aged 8 years. 1832. " is worked in cross stitch in dark blue above several motifs, including a central floral urn, a small tree with a bird perched in the topmost branch, a stylized floral bunch and a pair of floral elements comprising a bulbous head above a pair of jagged leaves worked in dark green and dull orange. The entire sampler is bordered by a simple narrow double edging of dark green and dull orange closely worked chain stitching.Curatorial RemarksGood quality educations were available to New Jersey girls in local day academies or at boarding schools. In both cases, needlework was consistently a part of the subjects offered for female students. Samplers such as this one, with its varied styles of alphabets, were a good way for instructors to teach both reading as well as embroidery skills. The description of sampler maker Eliza Van Mater's father, Joseph, as "liberal and generous" seems to have extended to his willingness to make sure his daughter received a good education which included needlework instruction.NotesSampler maker and Monmouth County resident Eliza Ann Van Mater completed her alphabet sampler in 1832 at the tender age of eight. She was born on 9 January 1824 to Joseph H. Van Mater (1775-1860) and Ann Van Mater (1785 - 1825) of Holmdel, who were married on 28 September 1808. Eliza was the eighth of nine children. Eliza's father, Joseph, was a respected county resident, well-known for his fine thoroughbred horses. A contemporary described him as "courteous in his manners and very liberal and generous in his disposition." Joseph was generous in his children's education, as well, judging from his daughter's needlework accomplishments. Eliza Ann died on 30 June 1840 at the age of sixteen, eight years after she completed her sampler. It then descended in the family to her nephew Joseph H. Van Mater (b. 1867), whose widow Jennie S. Campbell Van Mater (1868 - 1959) donated it to the Association.
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