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Woven Tied Beiderwand Coverlet
No image number on slide

Woven Tied Beiderwand Coverlet

Date1845
Artist/Maker John Seibert (Sr. or Jr.?) (active 1843-1851)
OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County
MediumWarp: Cotton; Weft: Cotton; Supplementary Weft: Wool
DimensionsOL: 97" with fringe; 94" without fringe OW: 79" with fringe; 72.5" without fringe
Credit LineGift of Adam A. Schmauch
Object number1979.609.4
DescriptionThis coverlet is a red, green, blue and yellow single woven coverlet, which is made from two pieces of woven fabric that have been stitched together to form a center seam. It is woven in a tied beiderwand construction, which has natural cotton warp threads. The weft consists of natural cotton threads and red, green, blue and yellow wool threads. The center ground consists of alternating rows of floral and scroll motifs. This is surrounded on three sides by a floral border. It has a corner block in the bottom two corners. The inscription in each of these corner blocks reads "MADE BY/ JOHN/ SEIBERT/ LOWHILL/ T. LEHIGH/ CO. FOR/ ESTHER/ MEYER." The coverlet has fringe on three sides, which was woven as a separate piece and then stitched to the edges of the coverlet. The top edge has a rolled hem.
MarkingsWoven into the corner blocks is: "MADE BY/ JOHN/ SEIBERT/ LOWHILL/ T. LEHIGH/ CO. FOR/ ESTHER/ MEYER."
ProvenanceNothing is known of Esther Meyer, the client for whom the coverlet was woven. The donor reports that the coverlet was owned by his maternal line, a Bachman family of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.