Needlework sampler made by Isabel Buist
Object No. 85/1250
The tradition of needlework samplers was well established by the time Australia was colonised in the late 18th century. Europeans brought with them the belief that needlework skills were an important practical and moral part of a girl's education. Accordingly samplers often demonstrated skill through the use within their design of letters, numbers and pictures, and piety with the inclusion of religious or dutiful verses. The nine year old Isabel Buist incorporated all these elements into her sampler. Like many other young girls, Isabel included her name, age and the place and date of completion, 'Van Dieman's Land April 16 1839'. This information confirms that this is one of the relatively few Australian provenanced samplers from before 1850 that is known to have survived. She also stitched a verse praising God.
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Summary
Object Statement
Needlework sampler, depicting letters and numbers, linen / cotton, made by Isabel Buist, Tasmania, Australia, 1839
Physical Description
Rectangular panel of linen, hand embroidered in cross stitch using coloured cotton thread. Across the top in three lines are embroidered the alphabet in upper (grey thread) and lower case (blue thread). Below this in a single line the numbers 1 to 12 (blue thread) ending in a heart and below this, side by side two bowls of stylised flowers/fruits (brown and grey thread). In the centre of the panel is stitched a verse; 'PARENT of good, thy works of might / I trace with wonder and delight, / In them thy glories shine / There's nought in earth of sea or air / Or heavn [sic] itself that's good or fair / But what is wholly thine' (brown thread). Across the bottom of the piece in three lines 'Isabel Buist, Aged 9 (in light brown and red thread)/ Van Dienans's (sic) Land' in blue thread and/ 'April 16 1839' (in light brown thread). A border line of light blue thread has been stitched around the work. The whole is edged with a roll hem.
DIMENSIONS
Width
205 mm
Depth
280 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed by the maker Isabel Buist (1830-1917). Isabel Buist was born in Tasmania, the daughter of Scottish immigrants who had arrived in 1823. She married William Bayles in 1854, and the couple moved to Melbourne where William later became mayor. Isabel Buist died in Toorak in 1917. Date written on object
HISTORY
Notes
This sampler is one of the earliest Australian samplers known to survive and was made by Isabel Buist. Isabel was born in Tasmania in 1830, the daughter of Scottish immigrants who had arrived in 1823. She married William Bayles in 1854, and the couple moved to Melbourne where William later became Mayor. Isabel died in Toorak in 1917.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1985
Acquisition Date
15 July 1985
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