This red, white, and blue, geometric, double-cloth coverlet features a “Single Snowball” pattern centerfield and “Pine Tree” border. These patterns were developed in the German States of the Holy Roman Empire at the end of the seventeenth century and were initially used in damask linen weaving on a much smaller scale. Several German weavers published books during the Early Modern period, and they were translated into numerous languages and this style of block weaving, as it is known, spread across Europe. Immigrant weavers brought these structures and pattern to the United States, increased the scale of the patterns and wove them as double cloth both for coverlets and ingrain carpet. This coverlet was woven as one length, cut, folded back on itself, and seamed up the middle to create the finished coverlet. The coverlet measures 83 inches by 63 inches, and there are traces of self-fringe along the bottom edge. The “Pine Tree” borders found along three sides were created from fractional reduction of the main block patterning. While women were fully capable of weaving overshot and summer and winter coverlets on their own simple looms, many of the geometric double loom patterns required looms with multiple shafts and are traditionally associated with male, professional weavers. There is no information about who may have woven this coverlet or where it may have come from.
Overshot coverlet woven in buff, green, blue and red. Two sides of the coverlet have red, green, and blue fringe, and one side has buff colored fringe. The overall design is one of " Diamonds and Stars." There is a self fringe on three sides of the coverlet: two are blue and green wool, one is beige cotton. According to the donor, this coverlet was made by her great-grandmother.
The weaver of this blue and white, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth coverlet is unknown. The coverlet is unsigned, but dated in the cornerblocks which read, “U*S*A/A*D/1829.” The coverlet was woven in New York and the pattern design is reminiscent of James Alexander designs. The centerfield features a “Double Rose” medallion with mirrored repeats of the spire of Federal Hall. There is no fringe on this coverlet. There are three borders. The lower border features double-headed shielded Great Seal eagles flanked by pine trees. The side borders depict that same double-headed eagles along with depictions of Federal Hall.
Landes/Hutchinson-style, geometric design with pine tree border; coverlet; double-woven; plain weave; 1800-1850, Pennsylvania. Geometric, double weave, all-wool, 2-ply, s-twist, warp and wefts, red & light and dark blue. Unsure if dyes are synthetic or natural, but knowing this information could help narrow the manufacture date range. The dyes are likely indigo and madder. The repeating, geometric pattern is similar to the Landes #42, 43, 50, 51 and 57 and Hutchinson/Landes #37, 58, and 60, with a "Pine Tree" border. The coverlet is made up of two 39" panels joined together in a matching center seam. The seam has been restitched in a 3-ply cotton. The pattern is an 11 sq. inch repeat made up of 2.75" checks containing 25 dots each. There appears to have been a fringe along the bottom left over from weaving that has worn off. The sides are left as selvedge and the top is hemmed unevenly. The border pattern repeat meausres 5.5"x7" and features 2 crossed "pine tree" corner blocks. The condition of the coverlet is good and the colors are very bright, which warrants further examination to deternine if they may be analine. There are 3 patched holes at the bottom right and bottom seam that are made from the same pattern and materials as the coverlet, possibly taken from the top? This coverlet was part of a traveling exhibition in 1975-76. This coverlet along with an another were donated in 1968. The other coverlet is linked to Miss Kirkpatrick's grandfather, Samuel Piper of Oakville, PA, and this coverlet may very well have been made by the same person or come from the same area. The style and design would indicate that it was made in Southeastern, PA.
This Jacquard, Biederwand coverlet features a large scalloped central medallion with basket-weave centerfield and eagle, "Washington," inscriptions and portraits in each corner. There are stylized floral borders along the top and sides. Horizontal color banding in fuchsia, teal, peach and yellow wool singles create the pattern, and thick and thin cotton warps and wefts form an integrated ground structure. The design, arrangement of motifs, and color choices likely date this coverlet to 1875-1900, particularly during the time of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The synthetic colors, sparse use of wool, design, and commemorative theme lead us to believe this coverlet is an early Colonial Revival coverlet made popular by the 1876 Centennial. The wool is wearing away in places leaving slack in the fine cotton warp threads. There is no center seam and the weaving is extremely even suggesting that this coverlet woven in a mill on a power loom rather than by a craftsperson in a workshop. The Centennial Exposition was an important time in the history of the coverlet. The exhibitions featured pattern books and antique coverlets sparking a revival in both the figured Jacquard coverlets and the older geometric and overshot designs. This exhibition helped inspire both the Colonial Revival trend, which we still live with today and the Craft Revival which breathed new life into American hand-weaving and craft production. This coverlet is in fair condition. There is some wear to the wool yarns, which are very loosely spun and the rolled hems at the top and bottom edges are coming undone. Because this coverlet is both unsigned and undated it makes it almost impossible to assign a manufacturer or precise date.
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.
The donor’s grandmother, Valine Hulbert of Oak Hill, Livingston County, New York wove this blue and white, overshot coverlet sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. More research is needed to determine Hulbert’s life dates, and the name, Valine appears to possibly be her middle name. The pattern is most commonly referred to as “Double Chariot Wheel” or “Church Windows” with table. The white yarns are 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton, the blue yarns are Z-spun wool singles. The coverlet is woven in two panels, each 37.5 inches wide. The panels were sewn together by hand. There is a self-fringe on 3 sides of the coverlet. Overshot coverlets like this one could be made at the home on a simple four-shaft looms and allowed women with the skills to use their family’s raw materials to create decorative bedcoverings, saving money for the purchase of goods the family could not produce on their own.
This coverlet is an example of a diamond twill weave coverlet. The weaver used 2-ply S-twist Z-spun red and indigo wool and white cotton warp and weft to create the pattern. The weaver’s use of color to create the diamond figures formed by weave brings out red and blue diamonds on alternate blocks, creating a textural and visually stunning textile. There is self-fringe along three sides and an applied satin tape along the upper edge which may be a latter addition. The coverlet was woven as one length, cut, and sewn up the middle to create the completed width. This coverlet is in overall excellent condition.
Figured and Fancy Jacquard double-cloth coverlet, mid 19th C. Jacquard, blue & white double weave, fringe on 1 side. 1. (border) christian & heathen 2. (center) floral medallions. Stylized Daisy, House border
Daniel King (1827-1888) wove this blue and white, tied-Beiderwand, Jacquard coverlet in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio in 1848. The centerfield pattern appears to be made up of alternating half-drop rows of stylized “Double Irises” and “Double Potted Plants” that almost extend into one another, unifying the centerfield design. The side borders depict meandering grape vines, while the bottom border shows a meandering hops plant vine. Hops and grapes both being respectively used in the production of beer and wine. The cornerblocks in the lower corners contain the woven inscription, “DANIEL/KING/TUSCAR/AWAS/CO.OHIO/1848.” The warp is composed of 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton yarns and a binding warp of Z-spun cotton singles. The weft yarns are 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton and wool yarns. The coverlet measures 82.5 inches by 66 inches and is constructed of two panels stitched together with a center seam. There is self-fringe on the sides of the coverlet and likely along the bottom edge as well. The bottom fringe has been worm away over time.
King was born in Pennsylvania, moving to Tuscarawas County, Ohio by at least 1848, making this coverlet one of his earliest known pieces. He and his wife, Catherine Kenegy lived and worked in Wayne Township until relocating in 1854 to Stark County, Ohio. In 1864, King served in the Union Army during the Civil War, fighting with Company K of the 163rd Regiment of the Ohio Voluntary Infantry.
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.
Cynthia Burch Clark (1815-1893) of Dodge County, Georgia wove this dark and medium brown and white, overshot coverlet. The pattern she chose blends features of patterns known as “Pine Blossom” and “Stars and Table.” Cynthia was the wife of Dr. Calphrey Clark. The couple lived just outside of Chauncey, Georgia. The coverlet passed down to their son, Harlow and then to his son, John Benjamin. John Benjamin’s son, Fred H. Clark is the donor. The ground weft yarns and pattern weft yarns appear to be hand spun. The finer more even warps are glossier and perhaps were machine-spun. Warm medium brown and black brown Z-spun wool singles were used for the pattern weft. The coverlet is made up of three sections woven as one length, cut, and sewn together. The seams are sewn with 2-ply cotton yarn. The coverlet measures 85 inches by 78 inches.
Overshot coverlet in gold/yellow; double Bow Knot pattern, originally woven in three 27.5 sections. The coverlet has 4 hemmed edges, of various widths.
This is a blue and white, plain weave double coverlet executed in geometric block weave pattern. The pattern is most commonly known as “Whig Rose.” There is a "Pine Tree" border along three sides created from a fractional reduction and lengthening of the main pattern. The weaver used natural colored linen with olive green and indigo (blue) colored wool. The coverlet measures 82 inches by 79 inches. The coverlet is constructed of two panels each 34.5 inches wide. The weaver would have woven both panels as one length, cut that length in half, and sewn the panels together to create the finished width. There is a five inch long woven fringe with a half inch heading applied to the sides of coverlet, and there is a five inch self-fringe along the lower edge. The coverlet was initially purchased in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania and it is likely that it was woven in Pennsylvania sometime during the first half of the nineteenth century.
A Jacquard, single woven coverlet in red, white, blue, and green, cotton and wool. It has fringe on 3 sides. The border design is made up of potted flowers, and the center design is made up of double rose medallions and floral wreaths. The date 1858 appears in two corners. The maker and place of manufacture are unknown.
John B. Welty (1792-1841) wove this coverlet in 1841 in Boonsboro, Washington County, Maryland. Welty and his brother, George (b. 1800-1810) both wove in the town. There are 3 borders present, all featuring a double rose and branches and addorsed thistle finches (Distelfinken). The centerfield features double flower medallions and sunbursts, most closely related to the “Lillies of France” or “Double Lily” patterns. The name of the weaver (John Welty), the town (Boonsboro, Washington County, Maryland), and the date (1841) can be seen in the two lower cornerblocks. The coverlet structure is called 2/1 tied-Biederwand and features a 2-end warp rib of natural cotton which alternates and it “tied” together with a single end of blue dyed cotton; the filling yarns of red, light blue, and dark blue, dyed wool form the pattern and horizontal banding; and the tabby is of fine natural cotton yarn. This weave structure is known as Biederwand and was particularly popular among Germans immigrating into Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions. The coverlet was a gift of the Russell sisters. Family legend claims that the sheep for the wool were raised by the Russell's great grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Mullendore of Rohrsville, PA. The coverlet is in excellent condition and a fine example of Western Maryland coverlet weaving traditions and the influence of Pennsylvania German weaving traditions found along the Great Wagon Road. Of interesting note is that fact that coverlets signed with John B. Welty’s name continued to be made until 1853. Clarita Anderson posited two different hypotheses for why this may be—one, that John’s wife, Catharine Blessing Welty (1802-1854) continued the weaving business after her husband’s death, or two, that a former employee of Welty’s and possible lover of the widow Welty, George Ortell continued weaving in John’s name for Catharine. George and Catharine never married, Catherine is buried next to her husband, John, and Catharine and John’s children were entangled in a series of lawsuits involving Ortell to settle their mother’s estate.
Abram Allen wove this Jacquard, double-cloth coverlet in Ohio in 1838. Measuring eighty-two inches by seventy-four inches, the coverlet features a stylized tulip, bell-flower, or pear centerfield with bird and tree borders. The side borders also feature a quadrupled sine curve border and the bottom border is made up of a six-fold sine curve. The word Ohio and the date 1838 are woven into two lower corners of the coverlet. Although unsigned, this coverlet can be attributed to Abram Allen and is similar to another coverlet in the NMAH collection (1980.0089.01). This double-cloth coverlet was woven from a combination of two sets of wool and cotton warps that exchange places revealing the pattern and lock the two separate plain weave structures together in a complementary weave structure. Abram Allen was born May 3, 1796, in Ireland. He married Kate Cata Howlan (1800-1866) June 25, 1818, and died June 7, 1867, in Clinton, OH. Coverlet scholar, John Heisey described him as the only man in the county with a flying shuttle, suggesting he owned a broad loom. This makes more sense when considering that the coverlet is one piece rather that center-seamed. Clarita Anderson noted that later in his life, Allen was listed in various census as both a wagon-maker and farmer, suggesting that weaving was only ever a part of his economic activity in Clinton County. Henry Ford Museum in Michigan and the Art Institute of Chicago both possess coverlets in the style of the one held by NMAH.
Abbie Corey Brackett is said to have woven this cotton and wool overshot coverlet on the Corey farm in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. It is woven in two sections, each forty inches wide. The center seam of this single-woven coverlet is sewn with linen thread. The attached fringe is eight inches deep, and made of hand-knotted wool. In the 18th and 19th centuries, very few women were involved in weaving anything as complicated as a coverlet. However, women were involved in spinning fiber into yarn. They would take the yarn to a professional weaver and pay him to make them a coverlet. The coverlet might have been used immediately or it could be put into the maker's dowry, or hope chest, for use after marriage.
This is an overshot coverlet from mid nineteenth century, which features a patch pattern in the center. There are borders on three sides of the coverlet, formed by a fractional reduction of the central patch design. The wool yarns appear to be hand spun and dyed using plant-based dyes. The weaver used yellow along with dark and light brown yarns along with a coral colored yarn. The coral yarn may have been a different color when the coverlet was new and faded over time due to use, light, and age. There is a seam down the middle sewn with cotton thread. This coverlet was made in Maryland, possibly Street, Maryland and was woven by an unknown family member for the donor's grandfather, Samuel Sedgwick Scarborough (March 22, 1836-March 4, 1903). The coverlet passed to his son, the donor’s father. The Scarborough family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn and fought in the Revolutionary War. This coverlet is believed to have been woven by a member of the family as a loom was also passed down through the generations. The donor recalled her aunt making rugs on the old loom, which has since disappeared. The coverlet is in excellent condition and measures 94 inches by 80.5 inches. Overshot; Unusual colors, gold, brown, orange (may have been red).