Placemats, Set of Nine

Dateca. 1940

MediumCotton embroidery thread on a cotton ground of 33 x 31 threads per inch

DimensionsOW: 15 7/8" × OH: 10 3/4" (40.3 × 27.3cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Colin G. Campbell

Object number2019-131,1-9

DescriptionThis is a set of nine placemats. Each placemat consists of isolated cross-stitched motifs worked in shades of blue, red, yellow, orange, brown, peach, green, white, and purple on a natural-color white cotton ground. Motifs include: candlesticks (2); Colonial lady seated in front of a well; Colonial man; horse-drawn carriage with coachman and footman; African-American female figure churning butter; African-American lady in wide hooped gown standing at Palace gate; coffee pot; multicolored bowl; and baskets of flowers/fruit (3). In the center of each placemat is a cross-stitched rendition of the Governor's Palace. Centered at bottom of each placemat is the cross-stitched inscription; "COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG." The motifs are enclosed in a border of blue cross stitches with three-sprigged red flowers in each corner.
Inscribed"COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG"
ProvenanceFrom Abby Aldrich Rockefeller To Abigail Aldrich Rockefeller Milton (1903-1976) to Abigail Rockefeller Milton O'Neill (b. 1928) and Steven and Barbara Rockefeller (son of Nelson Rockefeller) to Nancy and Colin Campbell, who gifted the placemats to CWF.