Table cover for library

Date1875-1910

Maker Miss Simon

MediumMulticolor twill and plain-woven wool, silk velvet, silk embroidery threads, beads (for insect eyes), blue cotton backing

Dimensions50 1/2" square

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2004.609.1

DescriptionSquare library table cover, pieced and appliquéd using thin wool textiles and velvets in bright multicolors of red, green, blue, lavender, gray, and cream with black, further decorated with embroidery in buttonhole, herringbone, and feather stitches. The overall design is organized symmetrically around center diamonds that are pieced and set on points within square pieced borders and a scalloped outer border. Appliquéd motifs consist of scrolls, leaves, hearts, stars, moons, circles, cactus-like shapes, and butterflies that are appliquéd to the pieced ground using contrasting multicolor silk buttonhole and herringbone stitches. Joins of the pieced textiles and some solid areas are further embellished with feather and herringbone stitches. The initial S, probably for the maker, Miss Simon, is appliquéd at the center of the outer border. The table cover is backed with glazed blue-green cotton and later black cotton.
Label TextThis library table cover is an attractive and unusual textile from the late-nineteenth-century era that produced "crazy quilts," although this example is organized in a more symmetrical manner.
ProvenanceGiven to Kate Godwin (ca. 1860-April 5, 1940) by an unmarried Germantown, PA, neighbor named Miss Simon (dates unknown, but died probably around 1900). The table cover was given to Kate Godwin to thank her for doing favors and bringing food to Miss Simon. The table cover descended to Adah Wilson Godwin and then to Geraldine Godwin Moyer.