Coastal Communities Museum
A volunteer led local museum in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Object Of The Month

Welcome to Object of The Month, a new way to enjoy the Coastal Communities Museum when the museum is closed. We will be selecting some of our most interesting objects and artefacts to share.

Athelstaneford School Sampler

 

Athelstaneford School Sampler

The word ‘sampler’ derives from the Latin ‘exemplum’, or the old French word 'essamplaire', meaning ‘an example’. The stitching of samplers was believed to be a sign of virtue, achievement and industry, and girls were taught the art from a young age. Samplers served a dual purpose: they taught a child basic embroidery techniques and also the alphabet and numbers.

This sampler was created by Agnes Jane Rennie of Athelstaneford School. Agnes was born in 1868 and was twelve when she created this sampler. She later married Charles Ritchie who taught in Pencaitland before the family emigrated to Australia in January 1914. Agnes died in 1937.

With thanks to Liz MacColl

Athelstaneford School embroidered sampler by Agnes Jane Rennie aged 12

Samplers: ELMS
Photographs © Judith Booth

Close up of Athelstaneford School embroidered sampler by Agnes Jane Rennie
Close up of Athelstaneford School embroidered sampler by Agnes Jane Rennie
 
Object of the MonthJudith BoothCoastal Communities Museumsampler, craft