Images(4)

Bed Rug, Woven and Knotted

Date1807

OriginWales (possibly)

MediumWool knots on a wool ground

Dimensions66 1/2" w x 57" l

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-369

DescriptionThis is a woven and knotted bed rug consisting of two widths of golden-yellow twill wool, seamed together. The surface is patterned in equilateral triangles with wool Turkey knots consisting of 6 strands of Z2S ply wool. The pattern alternates blue-green and red triangles, outlined with golden yellow, with white knots at the angles. Outer border consist of repeated diamonds (partly worn away at edges) worked in blue-green outlined with white. A panel in the edge, near the center seam, has the date 1807 worked with knots.

Technical information: The textile is woven in 2/2 twill, with approximately 19 warps to the inch and 11 pairs of wefts to the inch. All yarns are Z2S twist. Except for the guard border, all knots are in off-set rows approximately 2 pairs of wefts and 4 warps apart. The knots are constructed on two adjacent warps in a Turkish (Ghiordes) knot, with ends evenly clipped.
Label TextBed rugs were heavy, woolen bedcovers intended for warmth. They were made in several different techniques including embroidered with stitches that covered the entire surface and loom-woven and knotted like this one. Williamsburg merchants sold rugs imported from Great Britain—popular colors being blue, green, and spotted, perhaps like this Welsh rug.
Inscribed1807
ProvenancePurchased from antique dealer in Oxfordshire, England in 1972, who cataloged it as "Welsh"; no further provenance is known.