Woven Doublecloth Coverlet

Date1839

Artist/Maker Gabriel Gilmour (1800-1843)

Artist/Maker Joseph Gilmour (ca. 1805-?)

Artist/Maker William Gilmour (ca. 1807-?)

OriginAmerica, Indiana, Dunlapsville area

MediumDark blue wool and white cotton

Dimensions86 1/2 x 69 1/4" (219.7 cm. x 175.9 cm.)

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

Object number1986.609.7

DescriptionThis is a double-woven coverlet of dark blue wool and white cotton; center-seamed; self-fringed at lower edge; with rolled-over hem at top. The two lower corner blocks enclose sailboats, with the inscription "YEAR 1839" above and a double- checked border on two sides. Above the corner blocks, the two side borders run the rest of the height of the coverlet; each measures about 7-inches deep. Their design is a repeat of crossed, budded stems with briars and foliage with a small line and dot border above and another below. The lower border consists of a repeat of a three-bay, two-chimney house in front of a paling fence with two bare-limbed trees between; all between two double-checked edgings. There is no top border. The interior consists of a repeat (6 vertical and 4 horizontal) of a floral medallion, with a geometric tile separating the medallions.
Label TextThis coverlet is easily recognized as the work of the Gilmour brothers. Woven in double weave in a blue and white color scheme, the coverlet features the brother's well-known sailboat trademark in the corner block and house and paling fence foot border. In the early 1830s, the Gilmour brothers emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland, as trained weavers. Approximately fifty coverlets spanning the years between 1838 and 1842 have been attributed as the brothers' work.

Inscribed"YEAR 1839" is woven into each lower corner block.
Markings"YEAR 1839" is woven into each lower corner block.
ProvenanceNo history prior to the donor's is known. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Foster McCarl, Jr., Beaver Falls, Pa.