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Woven Doublecloth Coverlet

Dateca. 1850

Owner Lucy Ann Wright (1822-1907)

OriginAmerica, New York

MediumWool and cotton

DimensionsOverall: 87 1/2 × 78 1/2in. (222.3 × 199.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2017.609.9

DescriptionThis is a rectangular coverlet woven in a double cloth weave structure. It consists of one seamless panel with selvages at side, a blind hem at bottom, and a rolled hem at top. The design consists of a large floral medallion at center of field surrounded by bird and floral sprigs. An outer ring consists of spread peace eagles with banners. An inner outer border is made up of undulating leaf vines and a domed building. The narrow outer border consists of sunbrust-like motifs and stylized leaf motifs. The coverlet is marked below the central medallion in half cross stitches "Lucy Ann Wright."
Label TextTypical of coverlets woven in New York is the blue and white color scheme and the lack of corner blocks seen in this bedcover. The use of spread eagles, reflecting the patriotic sentiments of both the weaver and client, also suggests a New York provenance. Although the weaver of this doublecoth coverlet did not sign his name in the cornerblock as was common of coverlet weavers, the owner, Lucy Ann Wright, did stitch her name below the central medallion. Lucy lived her entire live in Dutchess County, New York. The coverlet descended along with an appliqued quilt from Lucy to her daughter, and then to her great-granddaughter.

Art of the Quilter:
This coverlet may have been given to Lucy Ann Wright as a wedding present when she married Joel Sutherland Winans on October 2, 1850 in Dutchess County, New York. Her name is sewn between the two large lower eagles. The Winanses worked as farmers and had three children. This coverlet and a quilt also made by Lucy descended through their youngest daughter, Sophia, and both were acquired by Colonial Williamsburg in 2017.
ProvenanceThe woven coverlet descended from the owner Lucy Ann Wright to her youngest daughter, Sophia Doughty Hunter Winans (Mrs. George Edward Rogers) (1855-1908), to the maker's great-granddaughter, Helen Germond (Mrs. Austin J. Knickerbocker) (1918-).

History of Coverlet Owner:
Lucy Ann Wright was born on July 29, 1822, in Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York. On October 2, 1850, she married Joel Sutherland Winans (1820-1806), a farm laborer, in Stanford, Dutchess County, New York. They had three children: Tamar Ella Winans (1854-1940); Sophia Doughty Hunter Winans (1855-1908); and W. Irving Winans (ca. 1857-1877). Lucy lived her entire life in Dutchess County. She died on July 15, 1907, and is buried at the Stanford Cemetery in Stanfordville, Dutchess County, New York.