A COLLECTION of historic samplers from the Douglas Goodhart collection is on display for the first time at a prestigious South Somerset house.

Thirty-seven samples, more than ever has been displayed at one time before, are now on show at Montacute House, owned by the National Trust.

All of the samplers have been in storage for more than a year, while the Brown Room – their new home at the house – has been refurbished.

Sonja Power, the National Trust’s house and collections manager at Montacute House, said: “Samplers are quite literally samples of needlework, displaying techniques, styles, and skills in embroidery, which were greatly valued and passed down through generations.

“Usually worked on linen, with coloured silks or metallic threads, and with tiny stitches, the design of the samplers often included the alphabet, numbers, poems or a prayer.

“More decorative examples include motifs significant to the period: a mermaid with a mirror and comb, an image of a house, animals and birds, and in one case a pair of boxers – male figures dressed in their finery.

“The samplers are often dated, and many were created by young girls who proudly added their names and ages.”

The samplers are very fragile and sensitive – particularly to light, which causes the colours to fade.

In addition, electromagnetic radiation will turn the molecules that make up the fabric to ash and the fine workmanship of girls and women from long ago would be lost forever.

The new exhibition space includes LED lighting, and each light has its own dimmer switch which allows the team at Montacute to regulate and monitor the amount of light falling on the samplers.

The earliest samplers were made in the early and mid-1600s. Two particularly special ones are by members of the same family, probably sisters, Margrett and Alice Jennings, and their band samplers date from 1695.

Sonja added: “Margrett’s sampler is nearly identical to Alice’s and was probably copied.

“Samplers were also often worked from a set pattern and this could explain the similarities. Our collection is internationally known and it’s lovely to think that the work of these two girls is appreciated by more people than they could ever have imagined would see their work."

“The saddest one commemorates Eliza Finnemore’s death and was probably worked by her mother or sister. Along with a short poem, this text sampler has a row of numbers; the four is worked in black.

“We are delighted that David Goodhart has been able to visit the new exhibition of his father’s collection, and that our visitors will again be able to see these samplers, which offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of women in England.”

If you want to find out more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house.