Sampler
Maker
Elizabeth Balch
Period1823
MediumPlied silk thread on linen
Dimensions13 × 10.63 in. (33 × 27 cm)
SignedThe sampler is signed "Elizabeth Balch August 8 1823."
ClassificationsNeedlework
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Julia Hartshorne Trask, 1946
Object number2084.20
DescriptionA rectangular sampler on fine bleached gauze linen embroidered with plied silk thread in dark green, brown, light blue, tan, pale pink, and off white. The stitching is done in both cross and tent stitches. The majority of the sampler features a biblical quote above four stanzas of a hymn, reading "Remember thy Creator in / the Days of thy Youth. / In the soft season of thy youth, / In nature's smiling bloom, / Ere age arrive and trembling wait, / Its summons to the tomb. / Remember thy Creator, God, / For him thy powers employ; / Make him thy fear, thy Love, thy hope, / Thy confidence, thy joy. / He shall defend and guide thy course, / Through Life's uncertain sea, / Till thou art landed on the shore / of bless'd eternity. / Then, seek the Lord betimes, and choose / The path of heavenly truth, / The earth affords no Lov'lier sight, / Than a religious youth." The verse is slightly off-center to the right, resulting in an uneven placement of the motifs along the left and right sides. At top, pairs of naturalistic grape bunches are worked. Below range a variety of motifs, some mirror images on either side of the verse, including a naturalistic tulip, an oak leaf, a pecking chicken at the bottom left and right corners, and small stylized trees, birds, and geometric shapes. Below the verse is the inscription line "Elizabeth Balch August 8 1823." a stylized wave band runs beneath the inscription. A bold sawtooth and floral repeat band forms a border along all four edges of the linen. The sampler retains its original plain woven cotton lining.Curatorial RemarksAlthough sampler maker Elizabeth Balch did not include her age, town or state in her needlework, the design elements seem to indicate an English origin. The large and naturalistic depictions of the grape bunches, oak leaves, tulips, and chickens are somewhat unusual. Elizabeth combined two sources for her lengthy verse. What appears to be the title is in fact from Ecclesiastes 12:1 in the Old Testament. The four stanzas are from the hymn "In the Soft Season of Thy Youth," written in 1769 by Thomas Gibbons (1720 - 1785). Gibbons was born in England and served from 1743 to 1785 as minister of the Independent Church in London. He was recognized during his lifetime as a writer, sermonist, educator, and hymnist.NotesThe name Elizabeth Balch is found frequently on both sides of the Atlantic. But this sampler shares more design and workmanship characteristics in common with those worked in England.
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