The tradition of young girls completing samplers as part of their training in the domestic arts was well established by the time Australia was colonised in the late 18th century. Europeans brought with them the belief that needlework skills were an essential part of a girl’s practical and moral education. Accordingly samplers often demonstrated skill through the use within their design of letters, numbers and pictures, and piety with the inclusion of religious or dutiful verses.

These samplers were produced by Mary Murphy, whilst she was training to be a governess at the Female Model School, Kildare Place, Dublin, between around 1832 and 1837. Mary Murphy brought the samplers to Australia in the 1860s and used them to educate her nieces, for whom she served as a governess and teacher in domestic skills. After her death the collection was divided amongst her nine nieces. The pieces held by the Museum come from descendants of two of the nieces.

They provide an insight into the range of skills regarded as necessary for women at the time, demonstrating the range of design, fabrication and construction techniques taught to Irish women in the 1830s. They are also a reminder of the care that went into the making of clothes and their preservation through techniques such as patching and daring. In addition they are an excellent example of one means by which these skills were transferred to Australia. The excellent provenance of this collection makes these samplers particularly interesting.

Needlework sampler, gathered cuff, cotton, Mary Murphy, Ireland/Australia, 1837-1860.

Sampler of a gathered cuff made of fine cream calendered cotton, rectangular form finely gathered at each side into narrow, rectangular bands decorated with two rows of very fine red cotton running stitch. Invisible stitching on cuff. All hand sewn.

This sampler was made by Mary Murphy who was born in Ireland c.1817 and educated at the Female Model School, Kildare Place, Dublin between c.1832 and 1837. Her mother, Renata Sautelle, was a French Hugenot and had fled to Ireland with her family during the French revolution. Mary Murphy came to Australia as governess/teacher to her nephew's (George Murphy) ten children at Moruya. She taught the nine girls of the family music, embroidery, sewing, French and cooking.

This sampler was made 1837-1860.

Mary Murphy was born in Ireland in around 1817 and educated at the Female Model School, Kildare Place, Dublin, between around 1832 and 1837. Her mother, Renata Sautelle, was a French Huguenot who had fled to Ireland with her family during the French revolution. Mary Murphy came out to Australia as governess/teacher to her nephew's (George Murphy) ten children at Moruya. She taught the nine girls of the family music, embroidery, sewing, French and cooking. Mary Murphy was noted for her skills in embroidery.

Gift of Mary Blunden, 1992

92/75

1837

140 mm

100 mm