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Counterpane, White Embroidery
No image number on slide

Counterpane, White Embroidery

Date1843
Artist/Maker Sarah A. Quinby (active 1843)
OriginAmerica, New Hampshire (probably)
MediumCotton with cotton embroidery
Dimensions104" x 91 1/2" (264.2 cm. x 232.4 cm.)
Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr.
Object number1977.609.2
DescriptionThis is an embroidered white candlewick bedcover. The cover consists of three vertical panels of plain weave white cotton that are machine pieced with 3/8" seams. The center panel is embroidered with a large central motif of a basket of flowers. The maker's name and age and a date are embroidered in script below the basket, "Sarah A. Quinby/ Aged 21. 1843." Surrounding the central motif are repeated designs of flowers, and grapevines. The 3/4" hem is embroidered in white cotton roving, mostly in French knots and tufting with some satin stitches.

Stitches: French knots, satin, tufting
Label TextAn accomplished needlewoman with an eye for design, Sarah A. Quinby embroidered a graceful design with a prominent pot of flowers, flowing bow-tied swags, and twining grapevine borders. She also proudly listed her age as 21 in 1843, the year that she completed the counterpane. Although there are numerous women with this name in nineteenth-century records, the most likely candidate to be the maker of this counterpane is the Sarah A. Quinby who lived in Goffstown, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, with her husband Joseph. Sarah was listed as 28 years old in the 1850 census, making her of the correct age to have made this counterpane. Sarah and her husband married in 1843, suggesting that this was made for that event.

The embroidery is done with heavy cotton cording in a variety of stitches, including French knots, satin stitch, raised stitches, and applied tufts. This technique is sometimes known as candlewicking, from the thread's resemblance to the white wicks of candles. The raised areas were created by leaving long loops on the topside to be cut and sculpted with scissors. Although this cover is hand embroidered, similar effects could be obtained on a loom. Many white covers decorated with roving like this one, exploit the softness of the thread through tufting details, which create surface dimensionality and pleasing plays of light and shadow in raking light. Many makers also followed Sarah Quniby's example in boldly stitching their signatures or other inscriptions in obvious areas of the design.
ProvenanceGift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.

History of Maker:

This counterpane was most likely made by Sarah Ann Flanders Quinby, the daughter of Philip Quinby and Sarah Smith. Sarah Ann was born on June 3, 1821 and married Joseph B. Quinby on March 23, 1843. Sarah Ann and Joseph had one son, Flavius, who was born in 1847. Sarah Ann died on July 19, 1878 in Hyde Park, Massachusetts.

Another less likely candidate is Sarah A. Quinby Colby who was born to Anson Quinby around 1820 in Weare, New Hampshire. At some point before 1850, Sarah A. married Seth N. Colby. Sarah A. died on November 2, 1897.

Another less likely candidate is Sarah Ann Quimby Quimby. Sarah Ann was born to Joseph Quimby and Elizabeth Fullerton around 1822 in Sandwich, New Hampshire. At some point before 1850, Sarah Ann married Alpha Quimby. Sarah Ann died on February 20, 1881 and is buried in Lyndon, Vermont.