Woven Tied Beiderwand Coverlet

Date1842

Artist/Maker Jacob M. Slusser (active 1840-1842)

OriginAmerica, Ohio, Stark County, Canton

MediumRed, dark blue, and olive green wools with natural cotton

DimensionsSide 1 (shirttail hem at top turned under): Right-hand side: 84 3/4" excluding irreg. fringe and 87 1/2" including fringe. Bottom: 76 1/4" excluding fringe and 82" including fringe.

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr.

Object number1991.609.2

DescriptionThis is a single-woven coverlet in a tied Beiderwand construction of red, dark blue, and olive green wool with natural cotton yarns; center seamed; self-fringed sides and bottom; and a shirt tail hem at top. The center field consists of repeats of flower and leaf designs and starbursts. The side borders are double rows of buildings. The bottom border consists of spread eagles alternating with, first, a single flower, and then a fruit tree. There is no top border. Woven into both lower corner blocks is "J+M+S LUSSER/CANTON/STARK/COUNTY/OHIO 1842."

Label TextTypical of many Ohio weavers, Jacob M. Slusser wove this coverlet in a red, blue, and green color scheme using a tied-Beiderwand weave structure. The border at the bottom of the coverlet is an interesting variation of the German-influenced distelfink (thistle finch) and hom (tree of life) motif. However, in this coverlet, the distelfinks are replaced with crested eagles, a popular motif with Ohio weavers.
MarkingsWoven into both lower corner blocks is "J+M+S LUSSER/CANTON/STARK/COUNTY/OHIO 1842."
ProvenanceHistory of ownership prior to donor's is unknown. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.