Woven Doublecloth Coverlet

Date1830-1850

MediumCotton and wool

Dimensions86" x 73". Re-measured 3/00 - Width: 73" no fringe. Length/Height: 86 1/2" no fringe.

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

Object number1982.609.1

DescriptionThis is a double-woven coverlet in blue and white wool and cotton in two looms widths, which have been center seamed. A three-masted sailing ship appears in all four corners, and all four borders show a repeat design of a lion-like animal alternating with stylized foliage (between confrontal animals is one type of sprouting stalk and between back-to-back animals another). Beneath the border design and beneath the corner block ships runs an outer- most border of cross-hatching. The interior field basically consists of two different alternating horizontal rows, both of stylized flowers and foliage. Two small birds, back to back with tails crossed over one another appear in horizontal lines between the two major foliage/flower designs.
The weaver is unidentified.
Label TextThe whimsical animals parading around the edges of this coverlet are often called "poodles," but there is no record of how their original designer identified them. It’s probable that they were intended to represent lions--a popular animal motif on coverlets.
InscribedNo inscriptions
MarkingsNo marks
ProvenanceThe coverlet was located in Norwich, New York. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.

The weaver of the coverlet is unidentified.