Woven Tied Beiderwand Coverlet

Date1845 (dated)

Artist/Maker Harry Tyler (1801-1858)

OriginAmerica, New York, Jefferson County

MediumRed wool and natural cotton

Dimensions88" x 83" (223.5 cm. x 210.8 cm.)

Credit LineEstate of Grace H. Westerfield

Object number1974.609.12

DescriptionThis is a figured and fancy coverlet woven in natural cotton and what was red wool in a double weave technique. The coverlet consists of two woven panels center seamed with no fringe. The center field of the coverlet is composed of circles of splayed flowers and stars; the borders (running on three sides of the piece) are made up of fruit trees and picket fences. Two corner blocks contain an eagle with spread wings and a grouping of overhead stars (Tyler's later trademark). Woven into each lower corner block is "POLLY.M.JONES/ JEFFERSON.CO.NY./ 1845.

Label TextHarry Tyler, the weaver of this coverlet, was one of the most prolific professional weavers of the nineteenth century. Working in Jefferson County, New York with the assistance of his family, Tyler wove coverlets and carpets for the surrounding area. Individuals often requested Tyler to dye their woolen yarn for their coverlets, which had been spun to his specifications. When a customer requested red dye, as here, the expensive cochineal added another ten shillings to Tyler's $2.75 price for weaving a coverlet.
The fruit trees and picket fence found in this coverlet border are popular motifs in Tyler's work and are often encountered when studying his pieces. Tyler used the eagle and stars in the corner block as a trademark for a number of years, from 1845 to his death in 1858. Before that time he had employed a regal lion for the same purpose. Tyler is said to have drawn all his own designs, except for the eagle and a basket of fruit, which Tyler's granddaughter has stated were created by the weaver's son Elman (?-1906).
InscribedWoven into each lower corner block is "POLLY.M.JONES/ JEFFERSON.CO.NY./ 1845."
MarkingsWoven into each lower corner block is "POLLY.M.JONES/ JEFFERSON.CO.NY./ 1845."
ProvenanceEstate of Grace H. Westerfield

Harry Tyler was born in Connecticut but spent his early years in Millford (Ostego County), New York, where he met and married Ann Cole; by her, Tyler had four children: Cynthia, Elman, Leman, and Leona.
Tyler moved about 1830 to Boston (Erie County); in 1832, to North Adams (Jefferson County); and in 1833, to Butterville (Jefferson County), all in New York. He began weaving in the last location in 1834. In 1843, Tyler’s wife died and, a few years later, he married Harriette Ann Dye, by whom he had four children: Beloit, Deloit, Harriette, and Ides.
He was assisted in his trade by his three elder children, and Elman continued the family business after his father's death on August 22, 1858.