A Divine Poem from the Spectator

This is a sampler worked by Mary Fowler in 1753, making it the third oldest sampler in the Herbert.
The work is titled a Divine Poem from the Spectator, volume 6.
Samplers were first made in the 1400s or 1500s as a way of remembering different types of stitches or patterns. Over time they evolved into pieces of work made by young girls, proving their knowledge and patience.
The Herbert has over 60 samplers in its collection. With volunteers from NADFAS we have recently completed a project to improve their storage and to make them more accessible. You can see some of the samplers on display at the Herbert in the History Gallery, Connected and in What's in Store.