Quilt from Printed Handkerchiefs
Date1800-1820
OriginAmerica or England
MediumCotton
DimensionsOH: 87" X OW: 98"
Lengthwise repeat: 28"
Side repeat: 32"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1966-516
DescriptionBlue and white quilt made of a textile plate-printed for handkerchiefs that have not been cut apart or hemmed. The face of the quilt consists of 36 uncut handkerchiefs in four different designs: 1) Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor (a rural scene with a man standing in hunting clothes and a woman on horseback, with hunting occurring in the background); 2) The Token or Sailor's Pledge of Love (a man facing a woman and handing her a box, with ships in the background); 3) Spring (woman milking a cow), Summer (harvesting hay), Autumn (picnic scene), and Winter (barnyard scene); and 4) A Review of Horse and Foot Regts (soldiers on foot loading firearms and making them ready and soldiers on horseback). Each handkerchief is about 14" X 15" and is edged with printed lace-like design. The quilt is backed with plain-woven white cotton, quilted with cotton thread in an allover pattern of interlocking cirlces with borders in a herringbone pattern. The quilt is bound all round with 1" wide white cotton patterned tape.The verses read:
1) LORD THOMAS and FAIR ELEANOR
Lord Thomas was a bold Forester/ and a chacer of the Kings Deer;/
Fair Eleanor was a fine Woman/ and Lord Thomas loved her dear.
2) Spring- Summer- Autumn- Winter
3) REVIEW of HORSE and FOOT REGTS.
Handle Cartrige Prime/ Load Draw Ramrod/ Ram Down Cartrige Return Ramrod/ Three Ranks Made Ready/ Present Fire/ Make Ready Present Fire.
4) THE TOKEN OR/ SAILORS PLEDGE OF LOVE
The voyage that had been long and hard
But that had yielded full reward
That brought each sailor to his friend
Happy and rich was at an end
Where Jack his toils and perils oer
Beheld his Nancy on the shore.
He then the 'Bacco Box displayd
And cry'd and seized the charming maid
If you loves I as I loves you
No pair so happy as we two.
Label TextHandkerchiefs were printed as yardage to be cut apart and hemmed by the customer. This quilt was made from handkerchiefs that were never cut apart. Four different designs are repeated. The story of Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor comes from an English folk song that dates back at least as early as the seventeenth century, and was reprinted throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The verses on the handkerchiefs read:
1) LORD THOMAS and FAIR ELEANOR
Lord Thomas was a bold Forester
and a chacer of the Kings Deer;
Fair Eleanor was a fine Woman
and Lord Thomas loved her dear.
2) Spring- Summer- Autumn- Winter
3) REVIEW of HORSE and FOOT REGTS.
Handle Cartrige Prime/ Load Draw Ramrod/ Ram Down Cartrige Return Ramrod/ Three Ranks Made Ready/ Present Fire/ Make Ready Present Fire.
4) THE TOKEN OR SAILORS PLEDGE OF LOVE
The voyage that had been long and hard
But that had yielded full reward
That brought each sailor to his friend
Happy and rich was at an end
Where Jack his toils and perils oer
Beheld his Nancy on the shore.
He then the 'Bacco Box displayd
And cry'd and seized the charming maid
If you loves I as I loves you
No pair so happy as we two.
InscribedSee description for printed inscriptions.
Exhibition(s)
1770-1800
ca. 1740
ca. 1830
1770-1780
