National Woven Coverlet Collection

What is a Coverlet?

In this collection, coverlet is defined as a decorative, woven bedcovering. Sometimes called coverlids or kivers, these bedcoverings have been present in American homes from Colonial times through the Colonial Revival. Coverlets were usually woven from a combination of linen or cotton and wool. They can be broadly divided into two categories based on design and loom type: geometric, and Figured and Fancy. These textiles were at their height of popularity in America from the 1750s through the 1870s. There was a resurgence in popularity at the turn of the twentieth century as Colonial Revival design developed. Hand-weavers in the US continue to weave from old geometric coverlet patterns, and contemporary computer-driven looms have made it easy to reproduce Figured and Fancy designs.

Learn more about the history and construction of coverlets.

This project was made possible by a grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.

Showing 1 to 24 of 423 items — page 1 of 18

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

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.
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

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

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.
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

White Jacquard coverlet; Figured and Fancy; 1800-1850

Jacquard woven, white cotton and linen single weave coverlet. Unusual stylized vegetation in repeats of alternating stripes. One consists of stylized flowers in a footed 'bowl". the other has melon shaped vegetation coming out of another footed container. Repeat 12.5" x 16.5" w.
Description
Jacquard woven, white cotton and linen single weave coverlet. Unusual stylized vegetation in repeats of alternating stripes. One consists of stylized flowers in a footed 'bowl". the other has melon shaped vegetation coming out of another footed container. Repeat 12.5" x 16.5" w. Side borders are 6 3.4" deep and the lower border is 7 1/2" deep. There is a star motif in each of the lower corner boxes. The coverlet was purchased in Pennsylvania. It could have been made in Pennsylvania or Maryland. Andrew Krump of Hanover Pa. used some of the same motifs as seen in this coverlet. Ten other coverlets made of cotton and linen have been seen.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
first half 19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
1985.0381.07
accession number
1985.0381
catalog number
1985.0381.07

Fragment of a geometric double woven coverlet, 1800-1850

Fragment of a geometric double-cloth coverlet. Blue and burnt orange wool, geometric, double-woven or double-cloth, all wool, coverlet fragment. This cloth has two layers, and the layers are connected by threads which go through to the other side to form the design on that side.
Description
Fragment of a geometric double-cloth coverlet. Blue and burnt orange wool, geometric, double-woven or double-cloth, all wool, coverlet fragment. This cloth has two layers, and the layers are connected by threads which go through to the other side to form the design on that side. The designs therefore are exactly the same only reversed in color. The design is geometric. The middle consists of a cross. Around the outside of the cross are eight squarish crosses. There are 4 small squares at each corner. The space between these shapes is the square cross. There are 9 of these designs evenly spaced out over the entire piece. The repeat measures 4 5/8 " x 5". The coverlet is made with 2 ply s twist wool. The yarn count is 17 x17. The repeat of the design measures 4 5/8 " x 5".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800--1850
d
ID Number
1980.0550.001
accession number
1980.0550
catalog number
1980.0550.01

Fragment of an overshot coverlet, 19th century

Coverlet fragment. Plain weave, overshot; dark blue wool, beige cotton, geometric design. Yarn count 40 x 40. One selvage is present. The design is formed by blue weft floats on a plain weave. The pattern is geometric.
Description
Coverlet fragment. Plain weave, overshot; dark blue wool, beige cotton, geometric design. Yarn count 40 x 40. One selvage is present. The design is formed by blue weft floats on a plain weave. The pattern is geometric. There is a rectangle in the middle with 4 lines coming out of the corners. There is a long oblong shape beside, above, and below each of these x shapes. On this piece, there are four separate units with the lines coming together in the center. The pattern repeat measures 3.25 x 3.75". The yarns are fine which give the piece a very delicate overall look. The selvage is rather uneven.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
1980.0550.003
accession number
1980.0550
catalog number
1980.0550.03

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Geometric pattern border that runs along selvage has a design done in medium blue floats. Middle design has a group of 16 rectangles every other one joined by short diagonal lines.
Description
Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Geometric pattern border that runs along selvage has a design done in medium blue floats. Middle design has a group of 16 rectangles every other one joined by short diagonal lines. At the bottom are a criss-cross design with dots en each shape and rows of diamond shaped figures. There is a section where the museum catalog number T 14896 appears as part of the design. edges are plain woven linen and hand hemmed. Warp white s twist 93 ply linen; wefts white s twist 3 ply linen; Lt. blue s twist 2 ply wool; med s twist 2 ply wool
Sample overshot coverlet reproduced after another coverlet in NMAH's collection, T14896. Made by Dr. Joyce E. Cone in 1980. White, and 2 shades of blue.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
Cone, Joyce E.
ID Number
1981.0045.001
accession number
1981.0045
catalog number
1981.0045.01

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Pattern has rows of groups of 5 egg-like shapes alternating with W or M shaped lines, and 4 diamond shaped groups. These rows are separated by geometric, simple shapes and blocks of color.
Description
Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Pattern has rows of groups of 5 egg-like shapes alternating with W or M shaped lines, and 4 diamond shaped groups. These rows are separated by geometric, simple shapes and blocks of color. the museum catalog number ,0723.01 is woven into the design. Sample overshot coverlet reproduced after another coverlet in NMAH's collection, T14896. White and 2 shades of blue. Woven by Dr. Joyce Cone.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
maker
Cone, Joyce E.
ID Number
1981.0045.002
accession number
1981.0045
catalog number
1981.0045.02

Charles Miley jacquard woven coverlet fragment; Ohio, 1839

Fragment of a Charles Miley jacquard woven coverlet; Ohio, 1839. Single woven, white and rose colored, jacquard woven coverlet fragment, featuring sunburst and a lily pattern with bird and floral border.
Description
Fragment of a Charles Miley jacquard woven coverlet; Ohio, 1839. Single woven, white and rose colored, jacquard woven coverlet fragment, featuring sunburst and a lily pattern with bird and floral border. Inscription woven into the coverlet: "Charles Miley+ Wayne County+ Ohio+ 1839." The selvedge edge is machine hemmed.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1839
weaver
Meily, Charles
ID Number
1979.0897.001
accession number
1979.0897
catalog number
1979.0897.01

Jacquard coverlet fragment, St. Peters Church design, 19th c.

Jacquard coverlet fragment. The ground is loosely plain woven. The design is formed by floats in the A direction; starting at the bottom there is a horizontal band of flowers. In this band the flowers are stacked above and beside each other one deep.
Description
Jacquard coverlet fragment. The ground is loosely plain woven. The design is formed by floats in the A direction; starting at the bottom there is a horizontal band of flowers. In this band the flowers are stacked above and beside each other one deep. The flowers are half-blue and half white, none being all ground or completely formed from the blue design yarn. Above this band is a bulding, supposedly St. Peter's Church, since these words appear at each side of the building (one side reads backwards). The building has a large center dome and 2 smaller domes on each side. the words appear in a straight line at the top and bottom of the building. Above the building are two areas of flowers and leaves. They are mostly blue, while smaller delicate flowers are white.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
1980.0367.01
accession number
1980.0367
catalog number
1980.0367.01

Martin Breneman coverlet panels; Figured and Fancy; Pennsylvania, 1840

Martin B. Breneman (1803-1889) of Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania wove this red, green, blue, and white, tied-Beiderwand coverlet in 1840.
Description
Martin B. Breneman (1803-1889) of Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania wove this red, green, blue, and white, tied-Beiderwand coverlet in 1840. Today the coverlet exists as two panels which were woven as one length and then cut and sewn together to create the coverlet’s full width. The museum received this coverlet in two panels. Coverlets were often separated into their panels for washing and repurposing as Colonial Revival portieres or curtains. This coverlet was woven for Rachel Armitage, and her name, and that of the weaver, Martin Breneman, appear in the lower two cornerblocks along with date, 1840, and the location, Washington Twp., York County, Pennsylvania. The centerfield design features a “Double Rose and Starburst” carpet medallion pattern. The border motif is the “Eagle and Tree” pattern, which consists of eagles with the word "eagle" woven under the image. Three sides of the coverlet have an applied fringe. Martin B. Breneman (May 21, 1803-December 15, 1889) was the fourth generation of a five-generation-long, Pennsylvania weaving dynasty. He married Elizabeth Asper (July 9, 1802-November 15, 1872) around 1825. Their sons, Jacob and Adam would also work as weavers. The couple were buried in Barrens Salem Union Cemetery, Dillsburg, York Co., Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1840
ID Number
2004.0205.01
accession number
2004.0205

Rawlins Mill Coverlet; Delaware, ca. 1900

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.
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

Rawlins Mill Coverlet; Delaware, ca. 1900

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.
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 2005.0042.02. 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. The coverlet measures 81 inches by 77 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 19th early 20th century
ID Number
2005.0042.03
accession number
2005.0042

Rawlins Mill Coverlet; Delaware, l. 19th C.

Workers at the Rawlins Mill in Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware wove this overshot coverlet with center seam down and applied fringe along three sides. The coverlet was woven from cotton and red and blue wool yarns.
Description
Workers at the Rawlins Mill in Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware wove this overshot coverlet with center seam down and applied fringe along three sides. The coverlet was woven from cotton and red and blue wool yarns. DeLevan Rawlins Bowen donated this coverlet, along with 2005.0042.02 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
2005.0042.01
catalog number
2005.0042.01
accession number
2005.0042

Demonstration overshot coverlet; ca.1950-1975

20th century overshot coverlet made at NMAH as a demonstration of the technique, in the old Textile hall.Currently not on view
Description
20th century overshot coverlet made at NMAH as a demonstration of the technique, in the old Textile hall.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1900-1985
1985
20th century
ID Number
1985.0045.002
accession number
1985.0045
catalog number
1985.0045.02

Figured and Fancy Coverlet, 1841

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.Currently not on view
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

Figured and Fancy Coverlet, 1856

Blue and white jacquard double-woven coverlet made in 1856 it has a center medallion design with flowers and birds in each corner. There is no center seam.Currently not on view
Description
Blue and white jacquard double-woven coverlet made in 1856 it has a center medallion design with flowers and birds in each corner. There is no center seam.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1856
maker
unknown
ID Number
2011.0148.01
catalog number
2011.0148.01
accession number
2011.0148

Figured and Fancy coverlet; Birds of Paradise, no date

Red and white jacquard woven coverlet with Birds of Paradise pattern among those used. there is no date woven in.Currently not on view
Description
Red and white jacquard woven coverlet with Birds of Paradise pattern among those used. there is no date woven in.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1830-1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
2011.0148.03
accession number
2011.0148
catalog number
2011.0148.03

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

A "King's Flower" pattern, Overshot coverlet; attributed to Sam Gamble, of Glasgow, Kentucky. Blue and white overshot-woven, two panel, center-seamed coverlet.
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

Figured and Fancy Coverlet; Bird of Paradise; 1838

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.Currently not on view
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

George Nicklas coverlet fragment; Chambersburg, PA, 1855

Fragment of a Jacquard coverlet; woven using both single and double weaves; red and blue. [Also described as dark & light blue and pink.] Fringe on 1 side. 1. (border) rose and oak tree 2.
Description
Fragment of a Jacquard coverlet; woven using both single and double weaves; red and blue. [Also described as dark & light blue and pink.] Fringe on 1 side. 1. (border) rose and oak tree 2. (center) stars Inscription woven into the coverlet fragment: Made by G Nicklas/ Chamber/sburgh/Franklin County 1855. George Nicklas was born in 1820 in Germany. According to source in Ancestry.com he came to the US in 1829. He married Rebecca Miller and died January 30, 1860 in Chambersburg, PA. He willed his weaving and dyeing outfit to his nephew Peter for the sum of $200. (Charles R. NIcklas, One Hundred Years of Business on South Main Street, p191-197.)
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1855
weaver
Nicklas, George
ID Number
1982.0142.001
accession number
1982.0142
catalog number
1982.0142

Fragment of an overshot coverlet, early 19th c.

Overshot, brown & white, weft-faced plain weave with one selvedge, cotton and wool, pattern consists of alternating blocks and vertical stripes. The blocks are predominantly brown with white, the stripes are white with brown.
Description
Overshot, brown & white, weft-faced plain weave with one selvedge, cotton and wool, pattern consists of alternating blocks and vertical stripes. The blocks are predominantly brown with white, the stripes are white with brown. Blocks are approximately 1 1/2 x 1 5/8." Texture is unusually soft and fine for this weave. Warp yarns are white and single ply z twist cotton . the weft tarms are white and brown singles, z twist wool. The weft completely covers the warp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
early 19th century
ID Number
1979.1217.02
accession number
1979.1217
catalog number
1979.1217.02

Fragment of a geometric overshot coverlet, 19th century

Fragment of a geometric overshot coverlet, 19th century. The pattern is formed by the dark blue wefts, floating over the beige warps. The design is an abstract series of geometric shapes. There are vertical wavy lines, beside a horizontally repeating design.
Description
Fragment of a geometric overshot coverlet, 19th century. The pattern is formed by the dark blue wefts, floating over the beige warps. The design is an abstract series of geometric shapes. There are vertical wavy lines, beside a horizontally repeating design. The pattern repeat measures 5 1/2" x 5 ". Both warp and weft yarns are large, and loosely twisted making this piece rather bulky. The back has the same design but the colors are reversed. The coverlet is made with a twill weave, and 2 ply cotton and wool yarns. The thread count is 32 x 32. There is one selvage present.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
1980.0550.002
accession number
1980.0550
catalog number
1980.0550.02

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980

Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Large areas of blocks of color. solid rectangles alternating with 2 narrow bars, this row alternates with checker board block, etc. There is a knotted self fringe on one edge.
Description
Reproduction sample of an NMAH coverlet, 1980. Large areas of blocks of color. solid rectangles alternating with 2 narrow bars, this row alternates with checker board block, etc. There is a knotted self fringe on one edge. Sample overshot coverlet reproduced after another coverlet in NMAH's collection, T14896. made by Dr. Joyce Cone in 1980,
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
maker
Cone, Joyce E.
ID Number
1981.0045.003
accession number
1981.0045
catalog number
1981.0045.03

Coverlet fragment, weft striped, late 18th century?

Weft-faced plain weave fragment of a coverlet with one selvage. Weft-faced plain weave in which alternate weft colors are densely packed to from vertical stripes in blocks.
Description
Weft-faced plain weave fragment of a coverlet with one selvage. Weft-faced plain weave in which alternate weft colors are densely packed to from vertical stripes in blocks. The coverlet was made of single ply z-twist pale yellow linen and the weft is red, indigo and pale yellow single ply z twist wool. The linen warp is completely covered by the weft. It is so unusual to have a hidden linen warp in a color, that the cataloger wondered if the piece was dipped in yellow dye after it was made.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th century
late 18th century ?
ID Number
1979.1217.01
accession number
1979.1217
catalog number
1979.1217.01

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