Woven Doublecloth Coverlet by Unknown Maker

Date1856

OriginAmerica, Indiana or Ohio (probably)

MediumDark blue wool and white cotton

Dimensions87" x 80" (221.0 cm. x 203.2 cm.)

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr.

Object number1986.609.8

DescriptionThis is a double-woven coverlet of dark blue wool and white cotton; center-seamed; with rolled-over hem at top. It is uncertain whether lower edge was originally self-fringed, as raveling has occurred here. A spread eagle on a bough appears in each lower corner block. The lower border is a twining grapevine over a lower- most edging of lines. The side borders show a steepled building set amid over-sized foliage, with year dates ("1856") above the outer edges of the foliage. The aforementioned motif alternates with one of the clump of stylized foliage, from either side of which leap two dogs chasing a stag, with a 5-pointed star above and rushes in the interstices. There is no top border. The interior is a design of large geometric tiles enclosing oak leaf sprays and stylized floral medallions with geometric patterning. The tiles have, behind them, a dotted ground with a twining, flowering vine.
Label TextNineteenth-century Jacquard coverlet weavers seldom coordinated the patterns in fields and borders. Here, the contrast between large- scale geometric motifs in the field and small representational subjects in the side borders is particularly marked. The placement and scale of the date numerals is unusual, as is the fact that the foot border pattern continues into and is integrated with the lower corner block designs, producing eagles that appear to perch on the grapevine.
MarkingsWoven five times into each side border is "1856".
ProvenanceNo history prior to donor's is known. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr. Beaver Falls, Ohio