Images(2)

Linen Mattress Tick

Date1750-1830

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania (possibly)

MediumLinen, 25 warps x 21 wefts per inch

DimensionsOL 79" x OW 54 1/2"; Selvedge: 27 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1955-457

DescriptionThis is a rectangular bag used as mattress tick. It is made of coarse, unbleached tow linen woven in tight tabby or plain weave. It is constructed from two long pieces of linen, hand-seamed together by butting the selvedges, then folded in half crosswise and hand- seamed around edges to form a bag for straw (some remains inside). The end seam is backstitched and the raw edges overcast. A 27" split runs along one of the butted selvedge seams.
ProvenanceThe mattress tick was purchased with linen bed sheets, mattress ticks, and other coarse linen grain bags said to be "Pennsylvania Dutch".