Description:
Cotton whitework coverlet tufted embroidered in cut loops with thick cotton threads in a style known as "candlewicking" because of the thick thread's resemblance to a candle's wick with a framed center with a vining leaf curled around the initials "B. L. C." over a star with center cross hatchings with leafed branches sprouting from the inner star points, and a two-line circle with an outer sawtooth edge, and a three-part border with a scrolling two-line vine with floral sprays and six loops on the outside on the bottom and sides; a chain of alternating diamonds and ovals on four sides; and a sawtooth line with "trees" on every fourth point on the sides and bottom; and two rounded corners. Betsy Long Bardwell (1810-1884) was the daughter of Joel Bardwell (1780-1849) of Shelburne, Mass., and his second wife, Lydia Newhall of Conway (b.1779) who married in 1809. Betsy married Winslow Clark (1804-1881) of Shelburne in 1830. Their daughter Abigail Clark (1838-1937) married David Hunter (1832-1908) and their son, Raymond Hunter (1871-1960) of Greenfield, Massachusetts, was the father of the donor, Louise Hunter McClean (Mrs. Edward McClean). The period term for this kind of embroidery is "knotted counterpane" as found in a c.1854 Illinois reference by Gail Bakkom and referred to by former Winterthur textile curator and author, Susan Swan. White bed coverings, such as this example with white embroidery or surface design, are referred to as "whitework," and frequently appear on examples dating to the early 19th century. Although more difficult to keep clean, white domestic textiles, especially those made from cotton, could be easily laundered. This example does not feature fringe on the edges.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Cotton; Embroidery Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+87.015 |
