Woven Doublecloth Coverlet, "Capitol in Washington" by Unknown Maker

Date1846

MediumRed, dark blue, and light blue wools

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 76 1/2 x 74 1/4in. (194.3 x 188.6cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1986.609.2

DescriptionThis is a coverlet double-woven in red, dark blue, and light blue wools with cotton stitching at center seams. It is self-fringed at bottom and sides and has a turned over hem at top. The side borders are a repeat of two different flower/ foliage designs above and below an edging of lines. There are no corner blocks and no top or bottom borders (except in the latter case, an edging of a few lines). The interior shows 12 repeats of the capitol building in Washington beneath scales, over the inscription "CAPITOL IN WASHNGTON/1846," and enclosed by a leaf (laurel?) wreath. Alternate rows of floral medallions and starbursts separate these.
Label TextRepetitive medallions were preferred means of filling the interiors of complex pictorial woven coverlets from the 1820s until the mid nineteenth century (when a central, larger- scaled medallion against an overall repeat gained favor). Most repetitive medallions, however, were stylized floral and foliage designs, or geometric star or sunbursts, rather than specific, intricate, and detailed images, such as that of the Capitol in Washington D.C., shown here. The orientation of the primary field design parallel to the sides, rather than the top and foot, is an unusual feature of this coverlet.
InscribedWoven 12 times within the interior design is "CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON./1846".
MarkingsWoven 12 times within the interior design is "CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON./1846".
ProvenanceMrs. Ejnar Johnson, Monroe, Washington