Description:
Cotton whitework coverlet in three panels embroidered with thick, white cotton threads with the inscription "Jemima Gilman / July 9 1824" in the top center in an octagon; a central medallion of a large cornacopia filled with scrolling flowers and grapes on the right side of center; a branch with five flowers in the center; and a basket (four rows of scallops) with handle on the upper left center. There are three borders: 1. two lines on the sides and bottom; 2. double undulating vine with flowers and grapes on the bottom and sides; 3. two crenelated lines on the bottom and sides; and two cutout corners. This is probably Jemima Gilman (c.1802-1883), the daughter of Stephen Gilman (1757-1830) and his second wife Dorathy Clough (c.1775-c.1850) of Unity. Jemima appears not to have married, living with her mother until Dorathy's death, by herself in Unity, and finally in Manchester, NH, with John and May Garnham by 1880. The embroidery is done in a style known as "candlewicking" because of the thick thread's resemblance to a candle's wick. 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. Original Potter number HD P.394, one of three.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Cotton Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+P.497 |
