Woven Doublecloth Coverlet
Date1831
Attributed to
William Fisher
(1799 - 1882)
MediumWool and cotton
DimensionsOverall (with fringe H x W): 87 x 82 1/2in. (221 x 209.6cm)
Overall (without fringe W x H): 83 1/4 x 76 1/2in. (211.5 x 194.3cm)
Other (Bottom Border Width): 8in. (20.3cm)
Other (Top Border Width): 7 3/4in. (19.7cm)
Other (Top Border Width): 5in. (12.7cm)
Other (Pattern Repeat H x W): 22 x 16 3/4in. (55.9 x 42.5cm)
Credit LineGift of Foster and Muriel McCarl
Object number2006.609.13
DescriptionThis rectangular blue and white double cloth coverlet has a central design of medallions, tulips, and leaves. The primary motif is a slightly elongated medallion with 16 lobes; the secondary motifs consist of flowers and leaves arranged in X shapes. Dots serve to hold the layers together between larger medallions. Along the bottom of one panel are the words “J. PHILLIPS” and “1831” woven frontwards and backwards. Ovals filled with floral medallions form the borders, and an 8-pointed star forms the corner blocks on all four sides. The coverlet is formed from two panels seamed vertically down the center. The sides are selvedges and the top and bottom edges are hemmed. There is applied fringe on all four sides.Label TextBorn in England, William Fisher lived and worked in Riverhead, a town on Long Island, New York. Representative of other Long Island coverlets, the motifs on this coverlet are arranged in rows with the primary motifs consisting of elongated medallions and leaves arranged in a Saint Andrew’s cross. The small dots in the centerfield are not only decorative, but they also help keep the two layers of double cloth together. The four borders have stylized tulips within circles, and the four corner blocks consist of eight-pointed stars.
Markings"J. PHILLIPS” and “1831"
ProvenanceGiven to CWF by Foster and Muriel McCarl, 2006.
1846 (dated)
1843 (dated)
1805-1815
1799 (dated)
ca. 1810
1710-1720