Nancy Humphrey, Misses Patten's School, and others

Coat of Arms of the Humphrey Family

1803

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Coat of Arms of the Humphrey Family

1803

Physical Qualities Silk ground, silk, chenille, and gold and silver metallic-wrapped embroidery threads, metallic spangles, mica(?); original églomisé mat and gilded frame, 24 x 20-3/4 in. (60 x 52.7 cm.)

Credit Line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Whitridge, Stevenson, Maryland

Object Number 1970.54

In New England, armorials became a popular form of embroidery as families in the new democratic American nation sought to increase their importance by adapting coats of arms from British aristocracy. Girls attending the school run by the Patten sisters, Sarah (1761–1843), Ruth (1764–1850), and Mary (1769–1850), produced particularly attractive needlework coats of arms based upon the work of Boston heraldic artist John Coles, Sr. (c. 1749–1809). Nancy Humphrey created this variation of Coles’ design with central shield, fronds, and a ribbon displaying the Humphrey motto. A floral garland held aloft by a silver eagle and spangled bowknots add to the grandeur. Ruth Patten considered it important that “each young lady had a handsome framed piece on their return home, to present to their parents.”

Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1970; Mr. and Mrs. William C. Whitridge, Stevenson, MD, by purchase, 1966; Joe Kindig ; Nancy Humphrey (1786-1832 or 1791-1822).

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Decorative Arts Accessions 1968-1973,' Feb. 27 - Apr. 15, 1973.

Anita Jones, BMA, 'The Accomplished Stitch: American Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection, '5/11-7/20/ 1997, no. 19.

Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Lessons Learned: American Schoolgirl Embroideries," November 23, 2014-May 10, 2015.

Betty Ring, 'New England Heraldic Needlework of the Neoclassical Period,' The Magazine Antiques (October 1993), p. 493, pl. XV.

Betty Ring, Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1993, Vol. 1, p. 205, fig. 237.

Inscribed: Embroidered on the ribbons beneath the shield design is the motto: 'Fear GOD In Life./HUMPHREY' Embroidered below the ribbons: 'NH.' Painted in gilt on the lower right corner of the original églomisé glass mat: 'N.HUMPHREY.' Written in black ink on paper on the reverse: 'ASSOCIATED WITH WETHERSFIELD CONN. C 1800' Written in blue ink on paper on reverse: 'ORIGINAL GLASS & FRAME/ EMBROIDERY DUSTED, GLASS CLEANED & BACK CLOSED by/PURNELL GALLERY 12/2/68'