Title: Wool Quilt
Object Name: Quilt
Creator: Unknown
Date: 1765-1800
Material: Wool
Dimensions: H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
The drops are designed to hang 21.5 inches over the side of the bed.
Description: Quilt or quilted coverlet, whole cloth type. The top is pink calamanco (wool) and is quilted to a coarse natural light brown wool or wool blend backing fabric. The stitch pattern is an all-over stylized floral pattern with diamonds and acanthus-type leaves. The drops (side panels) were lengthened by about 4" at some point. The top is assembled from several pieces of pink wool; the creases from the hot rollers that give the fabric its sheen, remain visible in many places. The quilt is bound in a 1" wool herringbone tape which is not original to the date of construction.
Provenance: Definition of Quilt: A cover or garment made by putting wool, cotton or other substance between two cloths and sewing them together.
Late-eighteenth century quilts in the United States dispelled the myth that quilt makers were in desperate need of warm bedding. Instead, early quilts tended to be all-over patterns. Whole-cloth quilts (like this one) are made from several full-width pieces of one fabric for the top, with the quilted design creating the visual interest. Calamanco wool was a popular fabric for whole-cloth quilts. The design motifs on the center ground and borders of whole-cloth quilts are created with quilting stitches. Common motifs mimicked designs found in decorative arts.
The top fabric was produced in England. The quilt was assembled either in Great Britain or the United States.
Subjects:
Quilts,
Textiles,
Coverlet
Place of Origin: New England
Collection Name: Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire
Item Number: 2011.109
Accession Number: 2011.109
Type of Material: Objects
Copyright Statement: For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum
Credit Line: American Independence Museum
Participating Organization: American Independence Museum