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Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.2c  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut H…
Headcloth
Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.2c Photograph by Gavin Ashworth. © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Headcloth

Date1795-1815
MediumHand-stitched embroidery; crewel wool on plain-woven linen; woven tape
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 60 x 59in. (152.4 x 149.9cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Newton C. Brainard
DescriptionHeadcloth, part of a set of bed hangings consisting of two bedcurtains (.a, .b), a headcloth (.c), three valances (.d-.f), a pillowcase (.g) and a fragment (.h). The bedhangings are hand-stitched with crewel, or two-ply worsted wool, on a plain-woven linen ground. The wool on these bedhangings is in many colors, including red, pink, dark medium and light blue, blue-green, light green, dark green, gold, yellow, tan, and cream.

The headcloth is nearly square and embroidered with three vertical columns of four floral designs each. In the center is a baluster-shaped vase containing a spray of flowers. The other, smaller designs consist of flowers and berries on stems with leaves.

The headcloth is constructed of two panels of linen that were hand-stitched downthe center together prior to the embroidery. Each side of the headcloth has a selvedge while the top and bottom each have a 3/16-inch double-turned hem. The top edge of the headcloth has three tape loops for hanging.

Stitches: The principal stitch on the headcloth is outline; it also includes encroaching satin, roumanian (oriental), buttonhole, and long and short.

Condition: Portions of the crewel embroidery, in the center, bottom center, and lower right corner have been reinforced with couching stitches in white thread through the ground. Small areas of crewel wool are missing from scattered areas on the headcloth. Some of the wool has been abraded and has started to unravel. Some of the crewel has faded.
Object number1962.28.2c
On View
Not on view
Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.2d,e,g  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connectic…
Prudence Geer
about 1770
Bedding Fragment
Punderson family
about 1770-1780
Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.2b  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut H…
Prudence Geer
about 1770
Museum purchase, 1982.58.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut Historical So…
Unknown
1750-1825
Gift of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 1964.35.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © …
Elizabeth Swan
1761-1778
Wholecloth Quilt
Mercy Copp
embroidered 1775-1800, quilted 1800-1825
Work Bag
Unknown
embroidered 1750-1775
Connecticut Historical Society collection, 1950.519.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 Th…
Mary Meyers
about 1732
The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund,  2002.40.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Con…
Denison Family
1740-1760
Gift of Mrs. William Talcott, 1844.21.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut …
Priscilla Kingsbury
1770-1790
2005.178.1
Mary Augusta Young
about 1969