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

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

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Figured and Fancy Coverlet, 1856

  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

  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

• Figured and Fancy coverlet; Birds of Paradise, no date

  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

  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

• 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

• coverlet; Figured and Fancy; tied Beiderwand; 1843; Pennsylvania

  Description

  This red, blue, and white, Figured and Fancy, 4:1 tied-Beiderwand coverlet features a “Double Rose” carpet medallion centerfield design with six-pointed stars. The border design is a vernacular interpretation of floral urn. The coverlet measures 86 inches by 68.5 inches and is constructed from two panels that were woven as one length, cut, and sewn up the center. The center seam is sewn with linen thread. There is fringe along the lower edge. The colors are used as stripes in the overall pattern, indicating a possible Pennsylvania origin. The date 1843 is woven into the corner. There is no maker’s name or trademark on the coverlet. The space for the customer’s information was left blank except for the date. This could be an example of ready-made production that was sold through general stores which served as pick-up and ordering locations for weavers and their manufactories. Contemporary newspapers advertisements of the time commonly list several different locations surrounding the weaver for customers to place orders, drop of wool or yarn, and collect their coverlets.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1843

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  2011.0148.06

  accession number

  2011.0148

  catalog number

  2011.0148.06

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• James Cunningham; damask tablecloth; 1846; New York

  Description

  James Cunningham of North Hartford, Oneida County, New York wove this commemorative George Washington, Jacquard-woven, gold wool and cotton tablecloth in 1846. This tablecloth is a true damask where on one side the ground is a four-shaft “crowsfoot” weave structure and the pattern is woven in a weft-faced plain weave and vice versa on the opposite side. The pattern is interesting, because Cunningham is most often associated with coverlet weaving, particularly this pattern. He and his business partner, Samuel Butterfield exclusively wove this pattern, which features “Double Tulip” centerfields with Great Seal eagle borders. In each of the four corners, George Washington is depicted astride his horse. The date "1846" appears above Washington and below reads the woven inscription, “Washington/J. Cunningham/Weaver/N. Hartford/Oneida Co. N. York.” Under the Great Seal eagle borders can be found the inscription, “Under This We Prosper.” The coverlet was woven from white cotton and gold wool. The white cotton yarns are Z-spun singes and the gold wool weft is also a Z-spun single. The yarn count is 57 warp ends x 51-55 weft end per inch. The pattern is vertically and horizontally mirror images of one another, indicating how the weaver set up his patterning device, at this point, almost certainly a Jacquard mechanism. Coverlet weavers were not just producing ingrain carpeting and coverlets, but also attempting to branch out into other fancy goods for the household. This tablecloth was woven on a handloom, which is evidence from the very irregular selvedge edges found along the sides. This could also indicate that Cunningham was experimenting with tablecloths as a new product, hoping to expand his business. The cloth is one piece, there are no seams. There are two selvages and other edges are hemmed. James Cunningham (1797-1865) was born in Scotland and died in New Hartford, Oneida Co, New York. Cunningham’s extant coverlets date between the years 1837-1848. He and English-born weaver, Samuel Butterfield (b. 1792) partnered before 1835 and evidently shared patterns with one another as they both use this pattern in their coverlets. Cunningham was married three times and fathered eleven children. At least one son, Robert also trained as a weaver. This tablecloth is a rare example of coverlet design’s influence on other household textile production as well as evidence of the business practice of coverlet weavers in America.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1846

  depicted (sitter)

  Washington, George

  maker

  Cunningham, John

  ID Number

  1981.0274.04

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Elizabeth Deuel (Devel); coverlet; overshot; 1790; New York

  Description

  According to the donor, Elizabeth Deuel is said to have made this blue and white, overshot, all-linen coverlet in 1790, in the Saratoga region of New York. Her name and the date are cross-stitched into the lower edge of the coverlet just above the fringe. A search of the 1790 census of the area produced no one with the surname Deuel. More research is needed to determine where Deuel lived, and if she was the weaver or the owner of this coverlet. In the 18th century, it was common for household textiles to be marked with the initials or name of the owner and the date. The average colonial home did not have a great number of household textiles, and they were considered important possessions. This coverlet was woven in two sections that were then sewn together. The coverlet is woven in a “Chariot Wheel” pattern and measures 104.75 inches by 80.25 inches.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  late 18th century

  1790

  weaver or owner

  Deuel, Elizabeth

  maker or owner of coverlet

  Deuel, Elizabeth

  ID Number

  1981.0274.05

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.05

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet; Figured and Fancy, double cloth; 1836; New Jersey

  Description

  An as-of-yet unidentified weaver from the Bergen County, New Jersey area wove this medium blue and dark blue, Figured and Fancy, double cloth, coverlet. There is no center seam, indicating that this coverlet was woven on a broad loom, which would have required at least two weavers to throw the shuttle back and forth or a spring-loaded fly shuttle. The centerfield design is made up of an ovular central medallion composed of various flowers including what appears to be hyacinths. There is a ring of silhouetted floral designs and fylfots circling that. There is a double border of grape vines and single grape leafs with grapes on three sides. The outer border is cut off and the inner border is cut almost in half along the top. The name Mary Van Emburgh and the date 1838, are woven into the two lower corners. The thread count of this coverlet is 16 warp and 18 weft per inch. The fringe is three inches deep. There is a possibility that this coverlet was woven by David Haring (1880-1889) or a weaver in his shop. Harring is known to have owned a broad loom and the designs, layout, and double border all fall into his design aesthetic.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1838

  ID Number

  1981.0274.06

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.06

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  coverlet; overshot; 1811; New England

  Description

  This all-white, cotton, overshot coverlet contains a woven inscription which reads, "1811 M.F.” The coverlet has a plain weave ground, with one pattern weft inserted between each ground weft. The coverlet is made of two panels, woven as one length, cut, and sewn together. It appears to have a hemmed upper edge, with applied fringe on both sides and the lower edge. The thread count is 28 warp ends x 32 weft ends per inch. The coverlet measures 80 inches by 71.75 inches. It was likely woven by a New England woman for use in her home.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1811

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  1981.0274.07

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.07

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet, overshot, "Double Chariot Wheel;" 1790-1825

  Description

  This orange/rust and blue, all-wool, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Double Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet has fringe along two edges, suggesting that this coverlet may originally have been three panels rather than two. The lower fringe is a self-fringe. The fringe on the side is applied. The coverlet is composed of two panels, (possibly three initially), woven as one length and seamed up the center to create the finished coverlet width. The warp yarns are a golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The ground weft is golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The supplementary pattern weft is blue 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool yarn. The yarn count was 20 warp ends by 9 weft ends per inch.s per inch.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1790-1810

  late 18th century

  early 19th century

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  1981.0274.08

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.08

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Hannah Leathers Wilson; Figured and Fancy weft loop coverlet; 1833; New Hampshire

  Description

  Hannah Leathers Wilson (1787-1869) of Farmington, New Hampshire wove this Figured and Fancy, weft loop woven, Bolton- or Boutoneé-style coverlet in 1833 for Caroline Sawyer. The coverlet was woven as one long length of plain weave ground, divided into thirds, and joined together to create the finished textile. After every two shots of the white ground weft, Wilson would throw a shot of the patterning weft made from much thicker wool yarn which was dyed with indigo and using a hook would pull up and twist loops, locking them into place to create the tufted pattern. A large central octagonal medallion containing a star, pine trees, and floral motifs is surrounded by five concentric borders on three sides and three along the top edge. White cotton and dark blue wool, stylized floral and leaf motifs around star in center. Side selvage edges are turned under and tacked at corners. The bottom edge is turned under and stitched to an edge bound with tape. The tape appears to be original. The woven inscription, "Caroline Sawyer no 52 1833" appears along the upper edge of the coverlet. Caroline Sawyer was born December 20, 1809 to Enoch (1776-1857) and Eleanor Horn (1774-1870) Sawyer in Alton, New Hampshire. Sawyer married Ira Mooney and died April 23, 1890. Hannah Wilson was born Hannah Leathers 1787 in Barrington, New Hampshire. In 1829 she changed her last name to Wilson because some of her relatives were of "ill repute." There is some suggestion that the Leathers family and people of that surname may have been Roma or Travelers and viewed as thieves or ne’er-do-wells. She died May 29, 1869 in Farmington, New Hampshire. She numbered all her coverlets and the highest known number is 184. Thanks to Donna-Belle Garvin from the New Hampshire Historical Society for her research into finding the identity of this coverlet maker.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1833

  maker

  Wilson, Hannah

  ID Number

  1981.0274.09

  accession number

  1981.0274

  catalog number

  1981.0274.09

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• 

  Coverlet fragment, New York, 19th century

  Description

  Fragment of a coverlet. Woven with cotton and wool in both the weft and warp in blue and white diamond and tree design, similar to the "Lovers Knot ." Made for the donor's grandfather, who was born in Cayuga County , New York in 1790.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  19th century

  ID Number

  TE.T03604.000

  catalog number

  T03604.000

  accession number

  60506

  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

• Coverlet sample, Kentucky

  Description

  Sample of old coverlet weave, hand-woven, simple block pattern,natural color cotton warp and dull wool weft. Made in the KentuckyMountain

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  TE.T04212.000

  catalog number

  T04212.000

  accession number

  65433

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Sample of 'Sea Star' woven coverlet

  Description

  Fragment or sample of a 6 harness coverlet weave: "Sea Star" pattern using black and green cotton yarn weft and unbleached cotton yarn warp. Weaver: Miss Ella Hoffner from Havana, IL. 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

  date made

  1900-1930

  ID Number

  TE.T04758.000

  catalog number

  T04758.000

  accession number

  71965

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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