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Lot Essay
This exceptional sampler signed by Polly Smith in 1785 represents one of the earliest and most popular sampler designs made under the teachings of Mary Balch of Providence, Rhode Island.
Mary Balch was born in Newport Rhode Island and moved to Providence in 1776, and soon after, she and her mother started a school for girls. The earliest records of the school are two samplers dated 1785 (including the example offered here), and a receipted bill from her services dated August 8, 1786. Though the school would experience its greatest growth and prosperity during the period of 1801-1822, many experts feel that the best needleworks stemmed from the early years prior to 1800.
Another Balch school example, wrought by Mary Greenman (Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery (New York, 1993) fig. 206) compares closely to the sampler offered here, also demonstrates the choices which each student made in personalizing their work. Polly Smith uses three courting couples here Greenman only depicts one. Smith uses a shorter verse allowing more space for decoration. Both girls both utilized the floral border surrounding an arched reserve flanked by pillars striped in blues and creams. A unique aspect to this body of work, Polly further embellished hers with her initials in the bases.
Mary Balch was born in Newport Rhode Island and moved to Providence in 1776, and soon after, she and her mother started a school for girls. The earliest records of the school are two samplers dated 1785 (including the example offered here), and a receipted bill from her services dated August 8, 1786. Though the school would experience its greatest growth and prosperity during the period of 1801-1822, many experts feel that the best needleworks stemmed from the early years prior to 1800.
Another Balch school example, wrought by Mary Greenman (Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery (New York, 1993) fig. 206) compares closely to the sampler offered here, also demonstrates the choices which each student made in personalizing their work. Polly Smith uses three courting couples here Greenman only depicts one. Smith uses a shorter verse allowing more space for decoration. Both girls both utilized the floral border surrounding an arched reserve flanked by pillars striped in blues and creams. A unique aspect to this body of work, Polly further embellished hers with her initials in the bases.