ACO 1772

The small mermaid on this Northern German sampler dated 1772 is a very rare needlework motif. The young embroiderer must have been fascinated by the tales of this damned creature, who can be delivered from her destiny only by the love of a man.

Many samplers of this period from Northern Germany were executed under female guidance in so-called Jongfern Scholen (maiden schools). Since the end of the 16th century there were relatively well-ordered circumstances in these schools for girls and the catechism formed the educational basis for a long time. Therefore a great number of Christian symbolic figures and motifs can be found on the North German pieces: the pelican, the dove, the ship, the carnation, the cock, the Garden of Eden, the parrot, Joshua and Caleb, the altar, the wreath and the crown. In addition, objects and activities of everyday life have been added to the design: the goosegirl, the water carrier, the mother with the cradle.

Clear, strong colours are characteristic for this small sampler.

It is in the possession of the Schleswig Holsteinisches Landesmuseum in Schleswig (inventory number 1906, 116). I am grateful to the staff members of the museum, who made it possible for me to look into the treasury and to select the appropriate floss colours.