Blanket, Cream with Red Bands at Ends

Date1875-1900

OriginAmerica, Maryland, St. Mary's County

MediumWool; silk binding (fiber identification by microscope)

DimensionsOW: 72"; OL: 90"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Kinlock Gardner.

Object number1967-23

DescriptionThis is a rectangular cream-white blanket woven with five graduated red stripes on both ends. The blanket is made of fine twill-woven wool with even selvages and no center seam. The ends retain remnants of silk binding tape machine stitched in place; selvages finish the sides.
ProvenanceThe original history is as follows: Mrs. Gardner (nee Cornelia Carrall) (donor) says blanket was made of wool from sheep raised, sheared, carded, spun, and woven at her family home, Susquehanna, St. Mary's County, Maryland, and this one and a companion blanket were in continuous use there until they were given to her in 1929.
(Note that the even machine-like selvages, lack of center seam, and close match to the companion blanket suggest that the blankets were commercially produced.)