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American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring
American Needlework Treasures Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring Author:Betty Ring American samplers and pictorial embroideries, now regarded as important and charming examples of American folk art, survive in astonishing numbers, probably because they have been treasured through the generations as family heirlooms; and they reflect the industry and artistry of countless teachers who guided the needles of American schoolgirls ... more »when sewing was a vital part of every girl's education and ornamental needlework was the foremost female art. A variety of distinctive styles represent regional forms that developed in the Colonies and the young Republic during the century between 1725 and 1825. Although professional pattern drawers worked in the larger towns andd prints were a standard source for embroidery designs, it was the schoolmistress who made use of the available sources and combined them to her liking when preparing the work for her students. The preferences of successful teachers and their influence in their communities resulted in the recognizable regional styles that are known today, and the embroideries illustrated in this book are presented within sections devoted to the regions where they were made.
The publication is of special importance because the almost 200 illustrations come from the outstanding collection of the author, Betty Ring, who is one of the best-known scholars and collectors in the field of early American embroideries. Because of Mrs. Ring's expertise and the scope of the collection illustrated in this book, American Needlework Treasures is sure to become a standard reference work for all those interested in this field and in American folk art in general.
Includes chapter notes, bibliography, and index.« less