Collections Database

Description:
Table mat or scarf. The open weave and soft colors resemble the work of Luanna Thorn. Four winged heart-like figures around a central diamond. Blue and red stripes on either hemmed end.This piece was made by Luanna Franklin Thorn (1874-1965) of Deerfield, the wife of Dr. Edwin C. Thorn (1874-1920). Born in Guilford Vermont, Luanna Franklin was educated at North Adams (Massachusetts) Training School for Nurses and moved to Deerfield in 1899 when she married Edwin Thorn. By 1903, she was weaving textiles as a participant in the town’s Arts and Crafts movement, using a four harness loom to weave all kinds of textiles for home and apparel and yarns she dyed herself. Both Edwin and Luanna Thorn were very involved with the Deerfield Arts and Crafts Revival movement, which was first formalized as the 'Deerfield Society of Arts and Crafts' in 1899 and then changed to 'Deerfield Industries' in 1907. Luanna Thorn had her "Deerfield Handicrafts Shop" in the rear of the house (see sign, HD 85.029). This table runner contains several hallmarks of Thorn’s work, including a loose ground weave, and a bold and abstracted use of color. While the piece was still on the loom, Thorn used a needle to incorporate the supplementary weft threads forming unusual motifs of four winged heart-like figures around a central diamond shape. The piece is a selvage width. Donated to the museum in 1964 by Luanna Thorn.

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.133

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