Woven Doublecloth Coverlet

Date1846

Artist/Maker Cornelius Garber (1811-1863)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Washington County

MediumDark blue wool and white cotton

DimensionsIrreg. With predominant blue side up, R side measures overall 85 1/2" (217.2 cm.), including irreg. fringe at bottom of @ 3", and bottom measures 70 3/4" (179.7 cm.). Top = 69 1/4" and left side = 83 1/2", including irreg. fringe at bottom of @ 2".

Credit LineGift of Ralph & Doris Lamberson in memory of her great-grandmother Mrs. John R. Drake (Amanda J. Bigler) (1828-1907).

Object number1992.609.1

DescriptionThis is a double-woven coverlet in two loom widths that have been center seamed. It has self fringe at the foot and a shirt- tail hem at the top. The field design consists of twelve floral sprays, each worked in squared shape. The bottom border consists of a double row of 2 sizes of tassels or bobs, the larger hanging within diamonds, the smaller between the diamonds. The side borders consist of three 1/2-story buildings with two-end chimneys, the structures being turned in 3/4 view and alternately turned left, right, left, right, etc. Between the buildings are, alternately, (1) a fir-shaped tree and (2) a bushier tree flanked by two identical unidentified objects (an upright post with two cross bars and objects hanging from the lower cross bar). Woven twice into each lower corner block is "C.G./1846."
Label TextThe floral medallions repeated in the field of this coverlet are nearly square in shape, rather than circular or elliptical as was more often the case. The result is a block-like design that, in format, seems more closely related to contemporaneous album quilts than woven bedcovers.
MarkingsWoven twice into each lower corner block is "C.G./1846."
ProvenancePer family tradition shared by AARFAM's donor, the coverlet passed from the weaver to its original owner, Amanda J. Bigler (1828- 1907) (later Mrs. John R. Drake); to her daughter, Mrs. John Lincoln Garrett (Sarah Elizabeth Drake) (1864-1917); to her daughter Mrs. J. Fred Piper (Edna Irene Garrett)(1888 -1970); to her daughter Mrs. Ralph Lamberson (Doris Amy Piper)(b. 1915); gift of Ralph and Doris Lamberson in memory of her great-grandmother, Amanda Bigler Drake.
The maiden name of the mother of the coverlet's original owner was Garber, indicating a possible family connection between weaver and client.