Images(2)

White-worked Furniture Cover

Dateca. 1830

Maker Sarah Sands (and/or) (1816 - 1902)

Maker Emily Sands (1815 - 1901)

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Annapolis

MediumWhite cotton with white cotton embrodiery thread and white knitted fringe

DimensionsOW: 42 3/4" x OH: 27 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2010.609.2

DescriptionThis is a rectangular furniture cover probably for a chest of drawers or small table worked in white cotton chain stitches on a white ground with a white knitted cotton 4-inch fringe. The cover is attributed to Sarah (1806-1902) and/or Emily (1815-1901) Sands. The embroidery features a center medallion outlined in a chain or interlocking circle motif with inner flowers and leaves. There are flowers with three leaves in each corner, and 8 scattered flowers and 4 scattered leaves throughout the rest of the textile.

Stitches and techniques: chain and knitting
Label TextThis embroidered furniture cover, embellished with cotton chain stitches and knitted fringe, may have decorated the top of a chest of drawers or a small table. It was fashionable in the South to own embroidered or quilted tops for a toilet table at which a lady sat to dress in the morning.

The cover is attributed to Sarah or Emily Sands, daughters of Joseph Sands, a prosperous Annapolis merchant who lived on George Street in a home that still stands today. Until recently, this cover and other family textiles including a large quilt were stored in a chest on the second floor of the family home.
ProvenanceMade by Sarah Sands (1806-1902) and/or Emily Sands (1815-1901);
By descent to their niece, Susannah Sands Revell (1843-1917);
By descent to daughter, Jane Revell Moss (1879-1968);
By descent to her son, Clifton Revell Moss (1908-1991);
By descent to his sister, Margaret Moss Dowsett (1910-2003);
By descent to her children, Ann Dowsett Jensen, Margaret Revell Dowsett, and Frederick R. Dowsett.
Until about 2010, the furniture cover, a quilt, and other family textiles were stored in a chest on the second floor of the family home, located at 130 Prince George Street, Annapolis, Maryland.

History of quilt makers:
The furniture cover is attributed to Sarah Sands (c. 1806-1902) and/or Emily Sands (c. 1815-1901), daughters of Joseph Sands, a prosperous merchant who served as treasurer and secretary of Annapolis, Maryland, and his wife, Sarah Rawlings Sands.