Images(3)

Quilt, Black Wool Wholecloth

Date1810-1830

OriginAmerica, New England (possibly)

MediumWool and wool-cotton, with wool quilting threads (fiber identification by microscope)

DimensionsW: 92 3/4" ; L: 96 3/4"; Cut out areas 23" square.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957-107

DescriptionThis is a T-shaped black woolen whole cloth quilt with two corners cut out for bed posts. The face of the quilt is plain-woven dark greenish-black napped wool. The reverse is a plain-woven textile woven with light green cotton warps and greenish-black woolen wefts. The bed cover is quilted with wool running stitches, 5 to 7 per inch, through dark wool batting in a design consisting of a central field of 3 1/4"-long diamonds, bordered on 3 sides by 18-inch-deep lyre-shaped feather figures, each filled with a three-lobed feather plume. The feather-lyre figures are bordered with repeated half circles, or scallops. The lyre motifs are repeated, consisting of 7 1/4 motifs on either side and 4 whole plus 2 half motifs at the bottom drop. The face and reverse of the quilt are each constructed of three fabric widths, seamed together. The edges are turned to the inside and stitched close to the edges, without binding.
Label TextThis quilt is unusual in its use of black wool on the face. Because the history has been lost, it is not known whether the dark color was chosen for mourning. The bottom corners are cut out to accommodate the foot posts of a tall-post bedstead.
ProvenanceThe quilt was purchased from Connecticut-based dealers in 1957.