Woven Tied Beiderwand Coverlet in "Oak Leaf" Pattern
Date1851
Artist/Maker
Joseph Turnbauch
(ca.1829-after 1851)
MediumRed, dark blue, and olive green wools with white cotton
DimensionsSide 1 (shirttail hem at top turned under): Rhand side: 87 1/2" excluding irreg. fringe and 91 1/2" including fringe. Bottom: 81 7/ 8" excluding fringe and 89" including fringe.
Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr.
Object number1991.609.3
DescriptionThis is a single-woven seamless coverlet of red, dark blue, and olive green wools with white cotton with applied fringe at sides and bottom. The interior design consists of a repeated spray of four oak leaves with the words "OAK LEAF" radiating from the centers. Small flower designs fill spaces between. The side and bottom borders are the same: a twining grapevine over a small repeat of snowflakes and leaves. Woven into each of the lower corner blocks is "MADE.BY./JOSEPH TURNBAUCH/SUGARLOAF/LUZERNE CO/FOR/[BLANK]/PENN.1851."Label TextNineteenth-century coverlet designs incorporating the name of the pattern were not commonplace, but a fair number of examples, in addition to this one, have been noted. The primary field motif seems closely related to a variety of stylized quatrefoil"oak leaf" designs used in applique qultiing at about the same period.
InscribedThe words "OAK/LEAF" are repeatedly woven throughout the field of the coverlet.
MarkingsWoven into each of the lower corner blocks: "MADE.BY./JOSEPH/TURNBAUCH/SUGARLOAF/LUZERN CO/FOR/[BLANK SPACE]/PENN.1851".
N.B. This weaver's last name is reputedly spelled "Turnbaugh" in census records, but it repeatedly appears on his coverlets as "Turnbauch".
ProvenanceHistory prior to AARFAM's donor is unknown.
Probably 1855-1870
Probably ca. 1845
ca. 1845
Probably ca. 1870
1800-1827 (compiled); some 1726
ca. 1850
1845-1855
