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

• Coverlet fragment, overshot; Late 18th C?

  Description

  Fragment of a 4 harness overshot coverlet weave with linen warp and tabby, weft-figured tan and brown wool yarns. The linen warp shows its great age. From Mrs. Eliza Calvert Hall Obenchain.

  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

  late 18th C?

  ID Number

  TE.T04788.000

  catalog number

  T04788.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Coverlet fragment made into a potholder

  Description

  Piece of a jacquard woven coverlet with name, "H. W. Tilton" and date, "1835"--made into a pot holder.

  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

  1835

  ID Number

  TE.T04818.000

  catalog number

  T04818.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Fragment of a double cloth coverlet

  Description

  Fragment of a blue and white, cotton and wool, double woven coverlet, with an Irish chain design. The donor, Mrs. Laura M. Allen, was Director of Weaving in Mechanics' Institute, Rochester, N.Y.

  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.T04906.000

  catalog number

  T04906.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Overshot coverlet fragment

  Description

  Fragment of a 4-harness, overshot coverlet weave with fine cotton warp and weft; the overshot pattern in blue and rose woll yarn forming figured weft stripes.

  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.T04925.000

  catalog number

  T04925.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Coverlet fragment; Sallie Dougherty, Tennessee; ca. 1910

  Description

  4-harness, overshot weave: "Sun, Moon, and Start" developed in blue, rose, and tan mercerized cotton yarns. Weaver: Miss Sallie Dougherty, Russellville, TN. Mrs. Mary M. Atwater called this pattern "The Whig Rose."

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca. 1910

  ID Number

  TE.T04948.000

  catalog number

  T04948.000

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Allanstand Cottage Industries; upholstery fabric sample; overshot; 1913; North Carolina

  Description

  Weavers at Allanstand Cottage Industries in Western North Carolina wove this blue and white, overshot upholstery fabric sample c. 1913. The sample measures 36 inches square and was woven with a cotton ground warp and weft and wool supplementary pattern weft. The pattern is known as a “Double Chariot Wheel.” This was meant to be used as upholstery fabric, inspired by an overshot coverlet pattern.

  Allanstand was founded by Frances Louisa Goodrich (1856-1944), a New York, college-educated, Presbyterian missionary, who moved to the Southern Appalachian region to educate the local population. She soon discovered hand-weaving traditions in the region and realized the marketability of these traditional crafts. She founded a cottage industry system with two retail outlets that catered to emerging Colonial Revival design tastes. At her retirement in 1930, she gifted the retail spaces and operations of Allanstand Cottage Industries to the newly founded Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. This sample was collected by the Smithsonian’s first curator of textiles, Frederic Lewton at the Department of Agriculture’s Southern Industrial Education Association retail space in Washington D.C. Upholstery fabric similar to this was used by First Lady, Ellen Wilson to decorate what came be known as the Blue Mountain Room in the Wilson White House.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  early 20th century

  maker

  unknown

  Allanstand School

  ID Number

  TE.T1373

  catalog number

  T01373.000

  accession number

  56970

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Geometric double cloth coverlet; 1825-50

  Description

  Blue and white geometric double cloth coverlet. Wool (blue) and cotton (natural). Irish chain pattern.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1825-1850

  ID Number

  1988.0359.01

  accession number

  1988.0359

  catalog number

  1988.0359.01

  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, blue, red, green, and white, double-cloth coverlet sometime between 1856 and 1880. The centerfield features a central medallion of oak leaves and acorns on an ogival lattice ground. The central medallion is surrounded by four winged victories carrying cornucopias and laurel wreaths. The four-sided border is composed of large Victorian floral 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

  2nd half of 19th century

  date made

  1858-1880

  maker

  Schum, Philip

  ID Number

  TE.T14436

  catalog number

  T14436.000

  accession number

  274938

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Coverlet; diamond twill weave; 1800-1850

  Description

  This red, white, and blue coverlet was woven in a diamond twill weave pattern with reverse twill borders along three sides. The pattern consists of a check of one a quarter white blocks alternating with two and a half blocks of the red and blue combined. The blocks were carefully planned so that the white blocks consist of one diamond and the red-blue blocks consists of five diamond. The borders are striped similar to a herringbone twill. The white yarns are cotton, and red and blue yarns are wool. All of the yarns are 2-ply, Z-twist, S-spun. The coverlet measures 84 inches by 70 inches. This coverlet was likely woven in the first half of the nineteenth century.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  19th cnetury

  c. 1800-1850

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  TE.T15239

  catalog number

  T15239.000

  accession number

  291105

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Sample of reproduction overshot coverlet, Fieldcrest, 20th c.

  Description (Brief)

  Sample of reproduction bedspread, gold weft--made by Fieldcrest--based on coverlets in the collection

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  20th century

  ID Number

  TE.T17656.00B

  catalog number

  T17656.00B

  accession number

  322707

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Jacquard double-cloth Centennial Coverlet, 1876

  Description

  This industrially-produced, Jacquard, double-cloth coverlet was woven in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia as a souvenir for visitors. The woven inscription, “Centennial” on the top and “Memorial Hall” along the bottom, as well as the dates “1776-1876” appear on the sides, confirming this attribution. There is a two inch applied fringe along three edges. This coverlet is woven with a white ground, and green, blue, brown and red horizontal stripes. Memorial Hall, not to be confused with the PMA, is depicted in the center of the coverlet surrounded by maple sprigs. There are two American flags on the dome of the building. Apollo can be seen on top of the central dome. Memorial Hall housed the arts of the expo, and Apollo, being the god of poetry, was an apt choice. There is an American Eagle to the left of the flag on the left, on the right of the flag on the right. The border that runs along all four sides of the object is a stylized floral motif. Three sides of the coverlet have fringe, while one side is hemmed. The coverlet measures 81 inches and 76 inches. There is no center seam. These coverlets were industrially-produced on power looms. According to Kentucky weaver and teacher, Lou Tate, there was a factory in Campbellsville, Kentucky where these could have been woven. Another candidate would by Philip Schum & Sons in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  c. 1876

  ID Number

  2001.0249.01

  accession number

  2001.0249

  catalog number

  2001.0249.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Jacquard carpet or coverlet; 1875-1914; possibly New York or Europe

  Description

  Carpet, (or possibly a coverlet); red, brown, and natural; Jacquard woven with single and double woven sections; 1875-1914. Warp A is S-twist 2 ply, natural wool. Warp B is S-twist 2 ply, red wool(?); Selvage S-twist 4 ply white cotton. The cotton yarns are present for only 1/4 inch. Weft A Z-twist single of natural brown wool. the yarn is composed of black, dark and medium brown, and tan fibers, likely natural shades of wool rather than dyed fibers. Weft C is S-twist, 2 ply white cotton(?). Microscopic and chemical analysis will be required to determine the exact fibers used in the yarns, but it appears visually and texturally to be a blend of mohair and naturally colored wools with the exception of the red-dyed yarn. Thread count - 14 x 13 on each single layer, 28 x 26 for the 2 layers combined

  The central field is 33" x 64" with a vermicelli design. it is bordered on all sides by sylized artichoke found in "Pomegranate" Pattern brocades of the Italian Renaissance, stylized art nouveau looking flower or palmette motif, framed with ogee curves, and ribboned garland motifs. The border designs are reminisicent of hybridized revival styles of the 19th century and may have been trying to evoke Asiatic motifs popular in the Aesthetics Movement. The border is 16" wide on all sides. The repeat unit in the border is 16" x16'. The style of the pattern with the open cetnral field makes it more likely to have been a carpet than a coverlet.

  There is a note in the accession file that this piece was laundered in a washing machine possibly removing any sizing on the yarns and changing the overall texture. If this piece were predominantly sheep's wool, it would have felted in the washing machine from the soap, hot water, agitation combination. More work is defintely needed to determine exactly from what materials this object is constructed. This coverlet was purchased at an auction by the vendor in Hartwick, NY in 1980. It was washed in a washing machine prior to its purchase, which would have affected its original feel. That treatment may have radically altered the texture, i.e. removed the sizings and initated felting.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  Very late 19th or early 20th century

  1875-1914

  ID Number

  1982.0146.01

  accession number

  1982.0146

  catalog number

  1982.0146.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Figured and Fancy Coverlet; Bird of Paradise; 1838

  Description

  Blue and white jacquard coverlet with Bird of Paradise pattern. There is a center seam sewn with cotton thread. Each panel is 36 inches wide. The coverlet is made with the Biederwand or tied weave. The date AD 1838 is woven into the corners.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1838

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  2011.0148.02

  accession number

  2011.0148

  catalog number

  2011.0148.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Sam Gamble?, "King's Flower" overshot coverlet, 1832, Kentucky

  Description

  A "King's Flower" pattern, Overshot coverlet; attributed to Sam Gamble, of Glasgow, Kentucky. Blue and white overshot-woven, two panel, center-seamed coverlet. The coverlet is made of a 2-ply, white or unbleached, cotton for both the warp and weft and the supplementary weft float patterning was created by using blue indigo-dyed Z-spun single wool. The letters '"B S" and the date 1832, are embroidered on the coverlet in crossstitch with 2-ply, linen thread and almost certainly represent the initals of the owner, not the weaver. The coverlet has an overshot-panel fringe, which is uncommon.

  John W. Heisey and Eliza Calvertt Hall both record Samuel Gamble as active in Glasgow County, Kentucky between 1830-1844. The coverlets attributed to him are of overshot construction and usually without initials or dates. The marking on this coverlet were almost certainly done by the coverlet's owner after receiving it.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1832

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  2011.0148.05

  accession number

  2011.0148

  catalog number

  2011.0148.05

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Figured and Fancy Coverlet, 1841

  Description

  Blue and white jacquard woven coverlet with the date 1841 in each corner. It is woven in two sections, and has a center seam sewn with linen thread.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1841

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  2011.0148.04

  accession number

  2011.0148

  catalog number

  2011.0148.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Overshot "Snail Trail" Coverlet, Maryland; 19th C.

  Description

  Overshot, red and white coverlet woven in the Snails Trail pattern--fringe on three sides. Said to be woven by the donors grandmother in Parsonsburg, Maryland.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  19th century

  maker

  Parker, Luara Catherine Farlow

  ID Number

  1989.0609.001

  accession number

  1989.0609

  catalog number

  1989.0609.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Rawlins Mill Coverlet; Delaware, ca. 1900

  Description

  Workers at the Rawlins Mill in Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware wove this overshot coverlet with center seam down and fringe along three sides. The coverlet was woven from cotton and red and blue wool yarns. DeLevan Rawlins Bowen donated this coverlet, along with 2005.0042.01 and 2005.0042.03. According to the National Register for Historic Places report, the Hearn and Rawlins Mill, as it is known today, has operated in various capacities since 1820. The building that currently stands on the site was built in 1880 and used as a grist mill. Lot Rawlins and John Morgan Rawlins, ancestors of the donor, started and owned the mill. The family moved from England to Delaware in 1747. The mill was water-powered and located along the Nanticoke River, which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  late 19th early 20th century

  ID Number

  2005.0042.02

  accession number

  2005.0042

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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