Textiles

Coverlet

The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.

The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.

Topic: Cotton

doily

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1st quarter, 19th century
ID Number
TE.T11812A
catalog number
T11812.00A

Isidore de Rudder Designed Pillow Top

This pillow top was designed by the Belgian sculptor Isidore de Rudder (1855-1943).
Description
This pillow top was designed by the Belgian sculptor Isidore de Rudder (1855-1943). The design of starfish, crabs, and eels in seaweed with the central inscription “1914 Yzer 1915” commemorates a famous battle at the Yzer River, where Belgian engineers prevented the German troops from advancing by manipulating the locks on the Yzer River to flood the surrounding fields.
This pillow top in point de Venise style needle lace was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I. The pattern is preserved in the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1915-1918
part of design
1915
1914
facilitator
Hoover, Herbert
designer
de Rudder, Isidore
ID Number
TE.E383966
catalog number
E383966
accession number
172208

Province of Hainaut Motif

The coat-of-arms of the Belgian Province of Hainaut was the design inspiration for this piece. The Mechlin bobbin lace motif depicting four lions and a crown was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.
Description
The coat-of-arms of the Belgian Province of Hainaut was the design inspiration for this piece. The Mechlin bobbin lace motif depicting four lions and a crown was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item. See a similar motif in TE*E383965.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1914-1918
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16115D
accession number
297965
catalog number
T16115D

Japanese Made Honiton Bobbin Lace Pennant

This object is one of a pair of fine Honiton bobbin lace designs made in Japan between 1880 and 1910. The bird and floral motifs are connected with braids with picots. Exceptional workmanship is displayed.
Description
This object is one of a pair of fine Honiton bobbin lace designs made in Japan between 1880 and 1910. The bird and floral motifs are connected with braids with picots. Exceptional workmanship is displayed. The engrelure or footing at the top is of machine made tape.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1910
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.E260960D
catalog number
E260960D
accession number
51116

Great Seal of the United States Motif

The Great Seal of the United States, often used in American decorative arts, provided the design inspiration for this Mechlin bobbin lace. It was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.Currently not on view
Description
The Great Seal of the United States, often used in American decorative arts, provided the design inspiration for this Mechlin bobbin lace. It was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1914-1918
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16115E
catalog number
T16115E
accession number
297965

Cap Border in Point de Venise Needle Lace on Machine Made Net

This cap border is part of a set of Point de Venise de Reseau needle lace. The ground has been restored and the fine quality needlepoint motifs are now applied on cotton machine made net.
Description
This cap border is part of a set of Point de Venise de Reseau needle lace. The ground has been restored and the fine quality needlepoint motifs are now applied on cotton machine made net. It likely dates originally from the early 18th century and was remodelled in the late 19th to early 20th century. It matches lappet TE.L7693 and cap back TE.L7695.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1700-1710
date repaired
1875-1925
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.L7694
catalog number
L7694
accession number
58000

Lille Bobbin Lace Border

This elaborate border is handmade Lille bobbin lace made with cotton. The ground is dotted with small squares called tallies. The straight edge is decorated with picotsCurrently not on view
Description
This elaborate border is handmade Lille bobbin lace made with cotton. The ground is dotted with small squares called tallies. The straight edge is decorated with picots
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1830-1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14082
accession number
272350
catalog number
T14082

Valenciennes Bobbin Lace Pattern and Sample

This set is a pattern of Valenciennes square mesh bobbin lace and a sample made from it. The pattern is drawn with ink (?) on parchment and appears to have been used as the pricking. Suggestions for working the pattern are written in French: "Laisser le bas.
Description
This set is a pattern of Valenciennes square mesh bobbin lace and a sample made from it. The pattern is drawn with ink (?) on parchment and appears to have been used as the pricking. Suggestions for working the pattern are written in French: "Laisser le bas. Claircir (?) les deux cercles. Laisser plus de jeu aux boules. Former le petit medaillon, le haut moins regulier". Extra threads are added to motifs and cut off. The design (no. 554) and sample for this 19th Century Brussels lace were purchased from G. Moens, Brussels, in 1921.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
2013.0121.29
accession number
2013.0121
catalog number
2013.0121.29

Russian Imperial Coat of Arms Motif

This piece of lace depicts the Russian Imperial coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle with St. George slaying the dragon on the center shield.
Description
This piece of lace depicts the Russian Imperial coat-of-arms, a double-headed eagle with St. George slaying the dragon on the center shield. The Mechlin bobbin lace medallion was made by Belgian lace makers during World War I and was likely intended to be inserted into a larger item.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1914-1918
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16115C
catalog number
T16115C
accession number
297965

Belgian Lion Motif

Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion features the coat-of-arms of Belgium. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, another with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and two with the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) complete the set.
Description
Part of a set of six, this Valenciennes bobbin lace medallion features the coat-of-arms of Belgium. Other medallions, two with the American eagle, another with the Belgian lion coat-of-arms, and two with the municipal shield of Ruysselede (Ruiselede) complete the set. See a similar motif in TE*E383967. Belgian lace makers made these laces during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1916-1918
made during
1914-1918
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14222F
catalog number
T14222.00F
accession number
273245

Point de Flandre Border

Point de Flandre continuous bobbin lace was utilized to make this mid-18th century style border. Heavier cordonnet or gimp outlines the motifs of large floral swags. The pattern repeat is seven and one-quarter inches long, and the edge is scalloped with picots.
Description
Point de Flandre continuous bobbin lace was utilized to make this mid-18th century style border. Heavier cordonnet or gimp outlines the motifs of large floral swags. The pattern repeat is seven and one-quarter inches long, and the edge is scalloped with picots. The donor identified this border as lace made by Belgian lace makers during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1914-1918
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14506
catalog number
T14506
accession number
273245

Ipswich Bobbin Lace Pillow With Bobbins, Pattern, and Lace From Ipswich, Massachusetts

Mrs. Elizabeth Lord Lakeman, who was born 1767 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died 1862 in Hallowell, Maine used this pillow, pattern and bobbins to make bobbin lace most of her life. Mrs.
Description
Mrs. Elizabeth Lord Lakeman, who was born 1767 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died 1862 in Hallowell, Maine used this pillow, pattern and bobbins to make bobbin lace most of her life. Mrs. Lakeman most likely made Ipswich lace in the late 1780's and 1790's during the peak of the Ipswich lace industry. The pillow is stuffed with sea-grass or straw and the parchment pattern has holes pricked for the lace. The bobbins are whittled from bamboo, other reeds, or wood. The current pattern and lace on the pillow are from around 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1785-1795
lacemaker using pillow
1767-1862
used
1789-1790
1785-1862
maker
Lakeman, Elizabeth Lord
ID Number
TE.E386685
catalog number
E386685
accession number
180233

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