Woven Doublecloth Coverlet in "Liberty Tree" and "Seaflower" Patterns

Date1832

Artist/Maker William Lunn (active 1832-1837)

MediumDark blue wool and natural cotton

DimensionsLength/Height: 81" w/o fringe, 83 1/2" with fringe; Width: 79 1/2" no fringe.

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

Object number1986.609.4

DescriptionThis is a double-woven coverlet of dark blue wool and natural cotton; self-fringed at lower edge; rolled-over hem at top edge and center-seamed. The side borders measuring about 6 1/2-inches deep run the height of the coverlet; each consists of a repeat of two different alternating floral designs prefaced by a small heart at the upper border edge, nearly over the initials "CS." There is no lower or upper border design. The interior consists of alternating horizontal rows of (1) a repeat twining floral bough, two of which blooms show a much smaller daisy-like flower between them, all over a continuous row of c-scrolling, and (2) incompletely formed blocks of turkeys and floral boughs. The turkeys are oriented horizontally and, with spread wings, stand on hillocks with foliage in the background. A small, stylized tree separates the mirror-images of "WM LUNN," and a floral or geometric design is its counterpart on the opposite side of the block.
Label TextWilliam Lunn's coverlet format is unusual. Weavers who used inscriptions generally confined them to corner blocks or borders rather than boldly integrating them with the field design, as seen here. "Seaflower" and "Liberty Tree" apparently were pattern names. The initials appearing repetitively in the side borders are assumed to be the client's. No information about William Lunn has been recorded, beyond the active dates indicated by his coverlet production.
InscribedWoven repetitively and horizontally through the field is "WM LUNN" and "SEAFL(OWER) 1835" Repetitively woven perpendicular to the foregoing is "LIBERTY TREE." Within the blocks formed by these two inscriptions are repeats of the script letter "W." In the side borders, at regular intervals, are the letters "C" and "S," stacked one over the other, possibly for the client.
MarkingsWoven repetitively and horizontally through the field is "WM LUNN" and "SEAFL(OWER) 1835" Repetitively woven perpendicular to the foregoing is "LIBERTY TREE." Within the blocks formed by these two inscriptions are repeats of the script letter "W." In the side borders, at regular intervals, are the letters "C" and "S," stacked one over the other, possibly for the client.
ProvenanceNo history prior to the donor's is known. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.