Description:
A quilt consisting of a face fabric with a central square or medallion made of white plain weave linen decorated with a meandering floral design of polychrome crewel (loosely spun two-ply worsted yarn) embroidery. On all four sides the central medallion is bordered by a plain weave cotton fabric decorated with a block-printed design of meandering floral vines. The quilt, dating to the late 18th or early 19th centuries is a good illustration of the reuse of textiles at this time. The embroidered center dates to the middle of the 18th century (possibly as another bed covering), but was then altered with the addition of the printed border, which may be English and date to the 1780s. The quilting pattern itself, a series of repetitive crescent or shallow clamshell shapes done in white cotton thread (8 stitches per inch), suggests an early 19th-century date. The backing fabric was pieced first before being incorporated into the quilt. There is a very thin layer of white wool batting in between the face and backing fabrics. Although crewelwork fell out of fashion by the end of the 18th century, ancestral embroidery remained valued and was often adapted in the 19th century for new and useful items, such as quilts. The embroidery on this quilt was repaired in wool yarns the 19th century before it was put together as a quilt.
Label Text:
Acquired from Harry Arons.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Cotton; Embroidery; Linen; polychrome; Wool Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.339 |
