Description:
Cotton whitework coverlet tufted embroidered in cut loops and couched with thick cotton threads in a style known as "candlewicking" because of the thick thread's resemblance to a candle's wick with each tuft stitched in place in an overall interlocking, double-line diamond design; a tightly twisted cotton cord used for a netting edge or fringe run thorugh with the same cord to form a "V" design; two rounded corner; and machine-stitched hem on the top and bottom. 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, 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. According to Suzanne Flynt, the trellis design on this coverlet appears to date to 1900-1920, which is also indicated by the lack of seams reflecting the wider weaving widths of the fabrics of this period as noted by Bekkom.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Cotton; Embroidery Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+86.030 |
