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TC2005-89
Quilt, Pieced Framed Center Medallion, George Washington
TC2005-89

Quilt, Pieced Framed Center Medallion, George Washington

Dateca. 1810
OriginAmerica, Mid-Atlantic (probably)
MediumPlain and printed cottons
DimensionsOverall: 98 1/2 x 97in. (250.2 x 246.4cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Estate of Muriel and Foster McCarl
Object number2012-172
DescriptionThis is an almost square patchwork quilt created in a framed center medallion format. The center medallion is a copperplate-printed handkerchief titled "The Death of General Washington" and measures 18 1/2" x 19". The handkerchief depicts the nation's first president on his deathbed, attended by his doctors. A bereaved Martha is seated at the foot of the bed. Surrounding the handkerchief scene are exalted eulogies praising America's hero (see inscriptions). The center medallion handkerchief is surrounded by a border consisting of three pieced blocks measuring 3" to 6". This is surrounded by a striped and floral printed cotton border. A third border of floral printed cotton measures 8 1/2" wide. The final outer border of cotton in a small floral print is 15 1/2" wide.
The quilt is backed in coarse plain white cotton that has been assembled from 3 pieces of material. The outer edge of the quilt was finished by folding the top and back inwards and stitching them together. It is quilted in an orange peel, or melon seeds, pattern in 7 running stitches per inch.
Label TextFeatured in the center of this rare example of an early patchwork quilt is a copperplate-printed handkerchief eulogizing the life of George Washington. Entitled "The Death of General Washington," the handkerchief was copied from the print "G. Washington in His Last Illness Attended by Docrs. Craik and Brown" by an unknown artist, which was published in Philadelphia in 1800. The handkerchief depicts General Washington on his deathbed, attended by Doctors James Craik and Elisah Cullen Dick. A bereaved Martha is seated at the foot of the bed. Surrounding the scene are exalted eulogies praising America's hero.

The quilt survives in remarkable condition considering the fragile printed textiles used in its construction. The bed covering was clearly cherished as a reminder of the nation's beloved first president and probably used for only special occasions. It may seem odd to us today that people slept under a memorial to the president. In the period, however, the quilt was one of many expressions of grief that the nation expressed over the loss of the "Father of American Independence" and the "Genius of Liberty."

InscribedInscriptions on the printed handkerchief in the center of the quilt:
"THE DEATH of GENERAL WASHINGTON"
"This most illustrious and much lamented Personage died on the 15th of Dec. 1799, in the 68th year of his Age, after/ a short illness of 30 hours in the full Possession of all his Fame, like a Chrisstian and an Hero, calm and collected,/ withou a groan and without a sigh."
"He united and/ adorned many excellent /Characters, at once the Patriot and/ Politician, the soldier & the Citizen;/ the Husbandman and the Hero; the/ favourite of the Genius of Liberty;/ the Father of AMERICAN INDE-/ PENDENCE; the Promoter of her/ extensive and BROTHERLY/ UNION;/ the Pillar of her CON-/ STITUTION; the PRESIDENT/ of her SENATE; and the/ GENERALISSIMO of her/ ARMIES."
"He Was/ GREAT/ in the COUNCIL,/ and/ in the FIELD."
"He possessed and/ displayed extraordinary abi/ lities, exhaulted VIRTUES, and/ unexampled Self denail: moderate in/ Prosperit, undaunted amid/ Danger, unbrokenenby [sic] adversity,/ firm and unmoved amid/ the violence or reproach of/ Faction, unperverted by/ great and general/ applause."
"He Was/ GREAT/ in ARTS/ and in ARMS."
"First in War, first in Peace, first in the hearts of AMERICANS, first in the Eyes of the World, he was unrivalled as a/ Stateman as a Soldier, as Senator-and he is embalmed by the tears of AMERICA, entombed in the heearts of his/ Countrymen, admired by the enlightened of all Lands, immortalized by his own great actions and the regrets of Mankind."
ProvenanceFrom the estate of Foster and Muriel McCarl. No other provenance is known.