Lot 8240

EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER DEPICTING THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE Providence, Rhode Island, Dated 1788 14" x 12" sight. Framed 17.5" x 15.25".

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EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER DEPICTING THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE Providence, Rhode Island, Dated 1788 14" x 12" sight. Framed 17.5" x 15.25".

Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000

Starting Bid: $40,000

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by Eldred's
July 21, 2026 9:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
1483 Route 6A
PO Box 796
East Dennis, MA, US 02641

EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER DEPICTING THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE
Providence, Rhode Island, Dated 1788
This iconic example of American needlework is one of the finest extant, in remarkable condition and with a lengthy exhibition and publication history. Wrought by Eliza Waterman (April 25, 1777-July 27, 1870) of Providence, a student of Mary Balch's school. Depicts the old State House in Providence, titled "The State House" in a cloud above and surrounded by a lady and a gentleman beneath fruit-laden trees, assorted birds, a squirrel in a tree, ladies and a gentleman, possibly the governor, on the lawn, a tiny black horse with white tack, a shepherd and shepherdess with their flock, and a dancing couple, the figures all with real hair. Scene enclosed within an arch with diagonally striped tapered columns. Outer borders comprised of lavish floral vines emanating from large urns, interrupted by a stag at the top of the arch. Upper panel with verse "May spotless innocence and truth, My every action guide, And guard my inexperienced youth from arrogance and pride". Maker's inscription in a bird- and flower-filled panel at the lower margin "Eliza Waterman's Work, 1788". Worked in silk on a linen ground.

  • Provenance:
    Descended through Elizabeth "Eliza" Waterman's family, willed first to her brother Henry Waterman's son Rufus (May 20, 1817-July 1, 1826), thence to:
    Rufus Waterman (October 10, 1844-August 19, 1904);
    Emily Greene Waterman (July 18, 1883-1951), niece of General Nathaniel Greene and Benjamin Franklin;
    George H. Waterman, Jr. (December 6, 1912-November 19, 1986).
    Sotheby's Parke-Bernet, New York, Important Americana, Sale 5551, January 28-31, 1987, Lot #1050.
    Marguerite Riordan, Stonington, Connecticut.
    Acquired from Marguerite Riordan, June 5, 1991.
    The Collection of Nancy & Larry Dickson.
  • Dimensions: 14" x 12" sight. Framed 17.5" x 15.25".
  • Exhibited:
    The Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, Rhode Island: "Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1830", November 6, 1983-January 22, 1984.
    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: February 24, 1984-May 20, 1984.
    The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: July 19, 1984-September 23, 1984. This sampler appeared on the poster advertising the exhibit.

    Reference:
    Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1830 by Betty Ring (Providence, R.I.: Rhode Island Historical Society, 1983), p. 112-115, 124, fig. 36. Ring writes "Eliza Waterman's recently discovered sampler is the earliest example from Mary Balch's school that unquestionably depicts the 1762 State House in Providence. Eliza not only named her building "the State House", but she portrayed it with reasonable accuracy: a five-bay structure with a pediment, having a hipped roof surmounted by a tower with a round window, and a dainty cupola enclosed by a white balustrade. Eliza placed her building within an arch that was becoming increasingly popular at Mary Balch's school, and she added a frolicking shepherdess and a dancing couple to the lower corners. All nine figures have real hair, and the background is completely embroidered in a lustrous cream-colored silk."

    Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850 by Betty Ring (N.Y.: Alfred A Knopf, 1993), p. 542, fig. 602. Mary Balch's School discussed at length, p. 179-188.

    Descendants of Richard Waterman of Providence, Rhode Island by Donald Lines Jacobus and Edgar Francis Waterman (Hartford, Ct.: The Connecticut Historical Society, 1954). Photocopies of relevant pages are included in the lot.

    Notes:
    Elizabeth Waterman, called Eliza, was a descendant of Richard Waterman, who founded Providence with Roger Williams in 1629. Her father, Rufus Waterman (1746-1829) was a prosperous manufacturer who owned a cotton mill in Providence. He and his wife had 13 children, of which Eliza was the second. She never married and in addition to bequeathing this sampler in her will of 1858 she gave $5,000 each to the two granddaughters of her older sister Sally. Elizabeth Street and the Elizabeth Building, which still stands in Providence today, were named for her.

    Mary Balch's school in Providence was one of the most important schools for young women in 18th Century America. The school, sometimes known as the Polly Balch School or just the Balch School, was started by Mary "Polly" Balch (1762-1831) sometime before 1785. The school began offering boarding in 1801 and by 1821 had 113 students enrolled. The Balch style of embroidery often included many of the elements you see here -- figures in elegant clothing, naturalistic floral borders, a pseudo-classical arch and a public building as a focal point. In addition to embroidery, the school's curriculum included writing, music and dancing, aided by various teachers and students from Rhode Island College (later Brown University). Betty Ring notes the Balch School "was unquestionably the best-attended private school in Providence [...] Mary was respected by her patrons and lovingly revered by her students, many of whom remarked upon her admirable qualities in later life".
  • Condition: Exceptional overall condition. Strong and vibrant colors, most edges hidden under the frame edge but nothing visibly lost. Several scattered lost stitches but no other obvious damages.

    The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

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