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Mary Cadwallader
Artist: Not Available 
Category: Needlework
SubType: Samplers
Origin: America-USA
Era: 19th Century
Height: 18.25 inches
Width: 10.5 inches
The Cadwallader family of Philadelphia, beginning with John Cadwallader who emigrated from Wales in 1697, is one of the most distinguished families in the early history of America. Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were prominent citizens of Quaker Philadelphia, contributing greatly to the life of the city. Cadwalladers founded libraries, hospitals and learned societies and were elected or appointed to the city council, the state assembly, the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

While the specific identity of this samplermaker within the Cadwallader family cannot be discerned, the Quaker affiliation of the maker and her sampler are clear. Mary's flowers, birds and baskets plus two of the alphabets that she included have their origins in classic Quaker sampler design. The two-line rhyming inscription, "Will the labour of this page / Yield me comfort in old age," is one that we have not seen on a sampler previously and one which holds great appeal. It is interesting to note the use of the word "page" to indicate the linen; expresses the thought that samplers were part of a literary tradition. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a black molded and painted frame.






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