National Woven Coverlet Collection

• 

  S.B. Musselman coverlet; Figured & Fancy, 1842

  Description

  Red, white, and blue Jacquard woven or Figured and Fancy coverlet in single weave. Double roses motifs framed by cut-cornered rectangles regularly repeated in bands and rows; separated by rows of dots and with rosettes in octagon frames. The inner border consists of vase forms alternating with flowers; Outer borders have a double diamond and dot repeated. Outer border is along all four sides, the inner border is not. Between the two borders the word Pennsylvania is repeated over and over, forwardsand backwards. The lower corner on the right says "This coverlet belongs to me Susana Diehl 1842" . The corner on the left says" S.B.Musselman Coverlet Weaver Milford Bucks. Co 1842". This coverlet is woven with a compound, plain weave base. Warp and ground weft yarns are Z-twist single ply cotton. The pattern weft is red and blue twist single ply wool. Samuel Beidler Musselman was born June 9, 1802 to Jacob and Barbara Beidler Musselman in Milford, Bucks Co. PA. He married ca. 1824 Elizabeth Landis (1798-1873). They had eleven children. He died August 7, 1874, in Bucks Co. PA. After 1837 all of his coverlets were seamless. While he numbered many of his coverlets, he did not number this one.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1842

  weaver

  Musselman, S.B.

  ID Number

  1980.0859.01

  accession number

  1980.0859

  catalog number

  1980.0859.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  J.J. Heilbronn Figured and Fancy Coverlet Fragment, 1840

  Description

  J.J. Heilbronn Figured and Fancy Coverlet Fragment, 1840. Red, white & blue jacquard double weave, no visible fringe. 1. (border) potted flowers & birds 2. (center) double rose & snowflakes. John Jacob Heilbronn, was born June 15, 1815 in Alsace, France. He married January 9, 1840, Phebe Weaver in Fairfield, OH. He died July 8, 1887.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1840

  weaver

  Heilbronn, J.J.

  ID Number

  TE.T14712

  catalog number

  T14712.000

  accession number

  280847

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Lancaster Carpet, Coverlet, Quilt, and Yarn Manufactory; coverlet; Jacquard; double-cloth; 1858-1880; Pennsylvania

  Description

  Weavers at the Lancaster Carpet, Coverlet, Quilt, and Yarn Manufactory, owned by Philip Schum likely wove this Jacquard, mauve, red, green, and brown, double-cloth coverlet sometime between 1856 and 1880. The centerfield features a large central medallion made up of concentric floral wreaths. Inside these medallions is a large representation of the United States Capitol. The centerfield ground is made up of shaded triangles. Each corner of the centerfield design features a bird surrounded by flowers and above the bird is a boteh, a motif found on Kashmiri shawls and later European copies commonly referred to as Paisley pattern. The four-sided border is composed of meandering floral and foliate designs. There are not traditional cornerblocks on this coverlet, but there are large floral or foliate medallions in each corner that are very similar to those used on signed Philip Schum coverlets. There is fringe along three sides. This coverlet was woven on a broadloom, and possibly a power loom.

  Philip Schum (1814-1880) was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Holy Roman Empire. He immigrated to New York, moving to Lancaster County, PA in approximately 1844. He was not trained as a weaver and there is no evidence that he ever was. What we do know is that Philip Schum was a savvy businessman. He worked first as a "Malt Tramper" in New York, a position presumably linked to brewing and malting of grains. After six months, Philip was able to afford to bring his first wife Ana Margartha Bond (1820-1875) to join him in Pennsylvania. Once reunited, Philip worked as a day laborer, shoemaker, and basket-maker. He purchased a small general store in Lancaster City in 1852. By 1856, he has built his business enough to sell at a profit and purchase the Lancaster Carpet, Coverlet, Quilt, and Yarn Manufactory. Philip's first wife, Anna, passed away sometime before 1879, because in this year, Philip married his second wife, Anna Margaret Koch (1834-1880). The two were tragically killed in a train accident in 1880, when a locomotive stuck their horse and buggy. The New Era, a local Lancaster newspaper titled the article about the incident with the headline, "Death's Harvest." Lancaster Carpet, Coverlet, Quilt, and Yarn Manufactory began with just one or two looms and four men. It grew to four looms and eight men quickly. By 1875, the factory had twenty looms and employed forty men. Philip Schum was no weaver. He was an entrepreneur and businessman who invested in the growing market for household textiles. Philip's estate inventory included a carpet shop, weaving shop, dye house, two stores, and a coal yard. At the time of his death were also listed 390 "Half-wool coverlets." These were valued at $920. In 1878, Philip partnered with his son, John E. Schum to form, Philip Schum, Son, and Co. Another Schum coverlet is in the collections of the MFA-Houston. This particular coverlet was purchased by the donor's grandfather in either Cincinnati or Pittsburg while he was serving as a ship's carpenter along the Ohio River trade routes. The family would later settle in Crawford County, Indiana. This fact also shows that Philip Schum's coverlets, quilts, yarn, etc. were not just being made for the local market. Schum was transporting his goods west and presumably in other directions. He was making for an American market.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1875-1900

  late 19th century

  1858-1880

  maker

  Schum, Philip

  ID Number

  TE.T14561

  catalog number

  T14561.000

  accession number

  277986

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Matthew Rattray; coverlet; Jacquard, double-cloth; 1853; Indiana

  Description

  Matthew Rattray (1796-1872) woven is blue and white, Jacquard, double cloth coverlet in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana in 1853. The coverlet measures 93 inches by 77 inches and was constructed from two panels woven as one length, cut, and sewn together in the center. There is self-fringe along the bottom edge. The centerfield design is foliate and geometric carpet medallion motif. The side borders show pairs of adorsed birds of paradise perched on branches. The lower border shows pairs of birds feeding their young on oak tree branches. The corner block logo is an eagle with twenty-six stars and the date, 1853. This cornerblock trademark is associated with the coverlet weaver, Matthew Rattray. Rattray was born and trained as a fancy weaver in Paisley, Scotland. Although there has yet to be evidence discovered, it is likely that Rattray first immigrated to America to work for a large industrial mill in New England before moving West to Indiana in the early 1840s. Once in Indiana, Rattray advertised extensively about his New York-made Jacquard machine, his ability to design and replicate patterns, and his proficiency at Figured and Fancy carpets, coverlets, and other fancy goods.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1853

  ID Number

  TE.T17894

  catalog number

  T17894.000

  accession number

  319019

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Overshot coverlet panel

  Description (Brief)

  Red, blue and gold, overshot coverlet panel, woven in a "Rose and Table" pattern.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  TE.T18070

  catalog number

  T18070.000

  accession number

  1977.0063

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  attr. Henry Goodrich; coverlet, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth; 1831; New York

  Description

  This is a blue and white, double-cloth, Figured and Fancy coverlet features along fringe three sides, and a spread eagle lower border. The center design is variation of the “Double Rose” carpet medallion pattern with ivy leaf accents. The side borders display an interlocking “Double Flower” motif that is reminiscent of lotus flowers. The two lower corner blocks feature pairs of dogs and a woven inscription which reads, "1831 EAW/ Pompey." There is a four inch self-fringe on the lower edge and an applied fringe on the sides that is also four inches long. The coverlet was constructed of two panels that were woven as one length, cut, and seamed up the middle.

  This coverlet was woven in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York in 1831. There has been some scholarly debate about who the Pompey weaver(s) may have been. At first scholars looked for a weaver with the last name Pompey, but they quickly realized the weaver was operating in the town of Pompey. There are extant dated coverlets in this style ranging from 1831-1836. There three coverlet weavers in Pompey at the time. Benjamin June and his son, Benjamin Jr. and Henry L. Goodrich. All three of these weavers could possibly be the maker of this and the other Pompey coverlets; however, the signed June family coverlets omit the town name from their designs, leaving Goodrich the most likely candidate. Federal census records list Henry as a resident of Rensselaer County, New York in 1830 and 1840, but occupation was not a recorded category in the early census. It is unclear when and why Henry spent time in Onondaga County and more research is needed to unravel the mystery and confirm or deny the attribution of these coverlets to Goodrich. The style of this coverlet is reflective the organization, arrangement, and style of the earlier Figured and Fancy coverlets foun

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1831

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  TE.T18211

  catalog number

  T18211.000

  accession number

  1977.0101

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Jacob Haag coverlet; Jacquard double-cloth; Pennsylvania; 1854

  Description (Brief)

  Double-woven Jacquard coverlet with a center medallion, surrounded by "checks", and vines with leaves. The Double Rose pattern is used at the top and the bottom of the coverlet. At the bottom it is located just above the border. There is one border design present and it is found on three sides.The border design includes pillars, flowers, and diamonds. The two lower corners include the name of the maker and the date. The corners say:"MADE BY J*HAAG INEMAUS FOR (BLANK SPACE) 1854.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1854

  weaver

  Haag, Jacob

  ID Number

  TE.T18374

  catalog number

  T18374.000

  accession number

  1978.0634

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  "Star and Diamond" multi-harness coverlet; c. 1790-1840; Pennsylvania

  Description

  This red, white, and blue, multi-harness coverlet features what has come to be known as the "star and diamond" pattern. This particular pattern was woven on a 14-shaft loom. Some of the variations of this star-work required eighteen shafts. The coverlet was loaned to the museum in the 1930s and later donated in the 1970s. Mrs. John H. Murray purchased the coverlet in Frederick, MD with green stamps, and there may be a Maryland connection with production of this coverlet; however, known weaver’s pattern books tend to all be focused on Southeastern Pennsylvania. Famous pattern books created by weavers like Jacob Angstadt, John Landes, and NMAH’s own pattern book by Peter Stauffer all contain variations of these multi-harness patterns. The coverlet was woven in two pieces and the pattern does not quite match up at the center seam. Whether this is due to shrinkage from improper washing or from uneven beating on the loom remains to be determined. There are remnants of a self-fringe along the sides that has worn away and both the top and bottom edge of the coverlet are hemmed with a simple rolled hem. The coverlet is composed of what appears to be a 3-ply cotton warp and a 2-ply or single of natural cotton for the weft.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  delete

  19th century

  date made

  1790-1840

  ID Number

  TE.T18666

  catalog number

  T18666.000

  accession number

  144093

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet; Figured and Fancy, double cloth; c. 1840; likely Ohio

  Description

  An unidentified weaver wove this blue and white, double-cloth coverlet with self-fringe along the side edges. The centerfield pattern features the “Double Rose” motif with tiles of eight-pointed stars and “Double Starburst” motifs. The three borders all depict adorssed Distelfinken (thistle finches) with the Germanic tree of life (Hom) motif. The cornerblock design features the weaver’s or factory’s trademark design, which in this case is rose in profile or possibly a leaf. The owner of this trademark has yet to be identified. The coverlet measures 82 inches by 70 inches and was constructed of two panels that were woven in one length. There upper edge of the coverlet features considerable loss conducive with heavy use over many generations.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  19th century

  date made

  c. 1840

  ID Number

  TE.T4262

  catalog number

  T04262.000

  accession number

  066143

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Samuel Butterfield; coverlet; Figured and Fancy, double cloth; 1834; New York

  Description

  Samuel Butterfield (b. 1792) wove this blue and white, Figured and Fancy, double cloth coverlet in Oneida County, New York for A. White in 1834. The centerfield design features large “Double Tulip” carpet medallions common to many New York coverlet designs. The four-sided border depicts Great Seal Eagles with floral embellishments. The cornerblocks depict Gen. George Washington on horseback, the date, 1834, and a woven inscription naming Washington. Below this on one end the customer’s name, A. White appears and the date again. At the other end, Samuel Butterfield is listed as the weaver or owner of the manufactory along with the location of his establishment, North Hartfors, Oneida County, New York. The coverlet measures 86 inches by 68.5 inches and was constructed from two panels sewn together with a center seam. This coverlet is in like-new condition. It was almost certainly never used. Butterfield was an English immigrant who was in a partnership with fellow weaver, James Cunningham until at least 1832. The two weavers both used this exact pattern, the only difference being the weaver’s name. Butterfield along with Archibald Davidson both claim to be the first British weaver to introduce ingrain carpeting to New York in the early nineteenth century. There is some evidence that Cunningham and Butterfield were not only weavers, but also early American industrialists creating small, regional factories to produce both carpeting and coverlets. Many British immigrants were recruited by emerging coastal textile mills early in the nineteenth century, and that is almost certainly how Butterfield would have initially found his way to America. His entrepreneurial spirit is further reflected in the occupational choices of his two sons. William owned a successful lumber business in Oneida County, and his other son, Thomas was a master tanner.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1834

  maker

  Butterfield, Samuel

  owner

  White, A.

  ID Number

  TE.T4263

  catalog number

  T4263

  T.4263

  accession number

  67010

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  6-harness Overshot Coverlet fragment

  Description

  Fragment of a blue and white: 6-harness coverlet weave, using bleached cotton warp and indigo wool filling.

  Because of the donor, Mrs. Allen's, importance in teaching and preserving early handweaving, and the use of materials she collected in books on the subject, NMAH should keep the fragments she donated in the collection, as part of the national woven coverlet collection.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  TE.T4776

  catalog number

  T04776.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Jacquard Coverlet fragment; Beiderwand

  Description

  Fragment of a coverlet; Blue & white; cotton and wool; ribbed Jacquard, weave with a pattern composed of large detached figures which in outline suggests a crab, no fringe visible. 1. (border) none visible, piece too small 2. (center) medallions.

  Because of the donor, Mrs. Allen's, importance in teaching and preserving early handweaving, and the use of materials she collected in books on the subject, NMAH should keep the fragments she donated in the collection, as part of the national woven coverlet collection.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  TE.T4905

  catalog number

  T04905.000

  accession number

  071965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  coverlet; Figured and Fancy; double-cloth; 1844; New York

  Description

  This blue and white, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth coverlet is dated 1844 in the outmost border but is otherwise unsigned. There is a large central medallion composed of scrollwork and anthemion motifs. Around this, the remaining centerfield is composed of thistles, bluebells, and other floral designs. There is a meandering clover-like floral design and sine-line outermost border where the date can be found woven into the design. This coverlet was made near Syracuse, New York for the mother of the donor’s grandfather who was married in 1840. There is no center seam, indicating that this coverlet was woven on a broad loom.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1841

  date made

  1844

  ID Number

  TE.T6713

  catalog number

  T06713.000

  accession number

  111910

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Elizabeth Franklin; coverlet, overshot; 1790-1814; Virginia

  Description

  Elizabeth Franklin of Montross, Virginia wove this three panel, overshot, red, white, and blue, cotton and wool coverlet sometime between approximately 1790 and 1814. Franklin’s great-grand-daughter, Evelyn Balderson Riley (b. 1885) stated that the coverlet was “in the family when the British raided Baltimore and the Potomac." More research is needed to link Evelyn B. Riley to Elizabeth Franklin, and the nature of late-eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century genealogical documents makes identifying female ancestors all the more difficult. What is known is that Riley’s paternal grandfather, James B. Balderson (b. c.1805) and his wife, Telicia Phenzen Balderson (b. c.1803) owned at least fifty-five enslaved people according to the 1840 Slave Schedule. These were wealthy landed families, and the weaving of coverlets, although possibly done by the women of the family, likely involved the free labor of enslaved women and children.

  The coverlet pattern is most commonly referred to as “Pine Blossom/Bloom,” but, as with all coverlet pattern names, they varied based on time and geography. The coverlet is made from cotton and wool, Z-spun singles, suggesting hand spinning for both yarns and an early date of creation. The three panel coverlet measures 111”x78”.

  Date made

  19th Century

  date made

  1790-1814

  maker

  Franklin, Elizabeth

  ID Number

  TE.T7410

  catalog number

  T.07410.000

  ?I7410.000

  accession number

  129754

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Anson Robinson Figured Coverlet fragment, 1842

  Description (Brief)

  Fragment of a coverlet, made of 3 pieces. Hand-woven with indigo-dyed wool and bleached cotton yarns in naturalistic and conventional designs. Pieces from 3 parts of the coverlet: center, showing scalloped medallion with leaf, rose and star; border, showing tree,bird, and star; and corner showing the woven name "Anson Robinson" and date, 1842. Because of the donor, Mrs. Allen's, importance in teaching and preserving early handweaving, and the use of materials she collected in books on the subject, NMAH should keep the fragments she donated in the collection, as part of the national woven coverlet collection.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1842

  ID Number

  TE.T7534

  catalog number

  T07534.000

  accession number

  125632

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet fragment, broken twill, multi-harness; 19th century?

  Description (Brief)

  This broken twill weave, multi-shaft coverlet fragment was collected by the museum because of its pattern. It measures 48 inches by 35 inches and was woven using 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun red, white, and blue cotton and wool yarns. There is very little information in the object file.

  ID Number

  TE.T7587

  accession number

  131174

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  "Queen's Patch;" Summer and Winter coverlet; 1800-1850; USA

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  19th century

  date made

  1800-1850

  ID Number

  TE.T7615

  catalog number

  T07615.000

  accession number

  130449

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet fragment

  Description

  Coverlet fragment; Rose, blue & white. Reversible, blue and red double faced ribbed fabric (might be Monk's belt.)

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  TE.T7683

  catalog number

  T07683.000

  accession number

  136393

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Jacob Impson; Figured and Fancy coverlet; double-cloth; 1834; New York

  Description

  Jacob Impson wove this Figured and Fancy, blue and white double-cloth coverlet for Louis Burnham in 1834. The coverlet was woven from two sets of cotton and wool warp and weft and has no fringe. The centerfield pattern features “Double Lily” medallions offset by starbursts. The borders along three sides appear to depict grape vines or possibly even a hops plant, used in brewing beer. The words "Cortland Village" are woven along border, as is the word “Fancy.” The names Lois Burnham and Jacob Impson and the date 1834 are woven into the lower corner blocks.

  Jacob Impson (1802-1869) wove coverlets from at least 1832-1845 in Ludlowville and Cortland Village, Cortland County, New York. Impson advertised in the 1824 Ithaca Journal that he was operating a weaving workshop out of the home of John Goodrich. At some point before 1834, Impson relocated to the county seat, Cortland Village where he wove this coverlet for Lois Burnham (1792-1849). More research is needed to learn more about Lois’ life, but we do know from the NY Mortality Census that she was born in Connecticut, married, and fifty-four years old when she died of dysentery in Cortland County.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1834

  owner

  Burnham, Lois

  weaver

  Impson, Jacob

  ID Number

  TE.T8113

  catalog number

  T08113.000

  accession number

  144578

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Berea College Summer and Winter coverlet Sample, 1938

  Description

  Berea College Summer and Winter coverlet Sample, 1938. Berea College Summer and Winter coverlet Sample, 1938. Coverlet sample in "Summer and Winter" weave with the "Snowball center and "Pine Tree" border. Modern, hand-woven, double-face, 7 harness 12 treadle weave of homespun yarn. The web consists of a tabby foundation in white cotton woven with a pattern of indigo-dyed wool as in "overshot" weaving--which closely interweaves with the ground. Copied from an old coverlet and made at Berea College in 1938.

  Coverlet sample in "Summer and Winter" weave with the "Snowball center and "Pine Tree" border. Modern, hand-woven, double-face, 7 harness 12 treadle weave of homespun yarn. The web consists of a tabby foundation in white cotton woven with a pattern of indigo-dyed wool as in "overshot" weaving--which closely interweaves with the ground. copied from an old coverlet and made at Berea College in 1938.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1938

  ID Number

  TE.T8206

  catalog number

  T08206.000

  accession number

  147895

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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