"Orange Peel;" coverlet; overshot; c. 1790-1825
"Orange Peel;" coverlet; overshot; c. 1790-1825
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- Description
- This blue and white, overshot coverlet was woven in a simplified version of the “Orange Peel” pattern. The two-paneled coverlet measures ninety-four inches in length by seventy-two inches wide. The plain weave ground cloth is made up of natural or unbleached linen or cotton warp and weft yarn and the supplementary pattern weft is a 2-ply wool yarn. There is some staining and slight discoloration, but overall this coverlet is in fairly good condition. Because the donor collected this coverlet from and unknown sources, the date and maker of this blue and white, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet is unknown. The coverlet was probably made between 1790 and 1825 and could possibly be from New York. The weaver of this early coverlet would also likely have been a woman or group of women who would pool equipment and skill sets to produce domestic goods for themselves and their neighbors. Since this coverlet dates from the early 19th century, it is quite likely that some or even all of the yarns used were homespun. Professional weavers switched to machine-spun cotton as soon as it was available, but hand-spun wool continued in use in coverlets in the early 19th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- coverlet, overshot
- date made
- 1800-1850
- 1800-1900
- 1790-1825
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States: New York
- Physical Description
- Orange Peel (overall pattern)
- overshot (overall production method/technique)
- wool, cotton (overall material)
- blue, white (overall color)
- Measurements
- overall: 72 in x 94 in; 182.88 cm x 238.76 cm
- ID Number
- TE.T6887
- catalog number
- T06887.000
- accession number
- 011503
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Daniel Gardner
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Textiles
- Coverlets
- Domestic Furnishings
- Art
- Textiles
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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