Woven Doublecloth Coverlet

Date1838 (dated)

Artist/Maker Archibald Davidson (active 1830-1848)

OriginAmerica, New York, Tompkins County

MediumWool and cotton

Dimensions85 1/2" x 76 1/2" (217.2 cm. x 194.3 cm.)

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

Object number1978.609.1

DescriptionThis is a figured and fancy coverlet woven in a natural cotton and dark blue wool in a double weave technique. The coverlet consists of two panels center seamed with no fringe. The centerfield consists of floral medallions alternating with diamond-shaped floral designs, all on a dotted background. The lower border and lower corner blocks are worked over hatching (or diamonds) enclosing dots. The lower pictorial border shows spread eagles beneath banners alternating with Capitol domes. Side borders show leaping stags and large trees. Woven into the two lower corner blocks is "WOVEN/AT THE/ITHACA/CARPET/FACTORY/BY ARCH [superscript D]/ DAVIDSON/1838." Woven into the banners above the eagles' heads in the lower border is "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Label TextIn 1831, Scottish-born Archibald Davidson advertised himself as a "Fancy Weaver" working in his shop east of the village of Ithaca, New York. In addition to weaving coverlets, Davidson custom-dyed wool yarns and wove other textiles such s carpets and sheeting.
Like Davidson, a majority of New York weavers came from the British Isles where they wove coverlets in the double weave structure. Patriotic, historic, or Masonic themes are often seen on New York coverlets, reflecting the sentiments of both weaver and client. In this coverlet, the bottom border features Capitol domes and American spread eagles beneath banners proclaiming "E Pluribus Unum" translated as "Out of many, one."
InscribedWoven into the two lower corner blocks is "WOVEN/AT THE/ITHACA/CARPET/FACTORY/BY ARCH/ DAVIDSON/1838." Woven into the banners above the eagles' heads in the lower border is "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
MarkingsWoven into the two lower corner blocks is "WOVEN/AT THE/ITHACA/CARPET/FACTORY/BY ARCH/ DAVIDSON/1838." Woven into the banners above the eagles' heads in the lower border is "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
ProvenanceHistory of ownership prior to donor's is unknown. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.