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Gift of George H. Gilman, Jr., 1983.101.3  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth © 2008 The Connecticut …
Candlewick Bed Covering
Gift of George H. Gilman, Jr., 1983.101.3 Photograph by Gavin Ashworth © 2008 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Candlewick Bed Covering

Embroiderer (American, 1793 - 1881)
Date1810-1817
MediumEmbroidery; cotton thread (four-ply) on a compound-weave ground; cotton thread and cotton yarn
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 102 x 96 1/4in. (259.1 x 244.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of George H. Gilman, Jr.
DescriptionCandlewick bed covering, consisting of a single layer of compound-weave cotton decorated with embroidered four-ply cotton yarn. The bed covering is square with rounded bottom corners, and has a cotton fringe at the left, right, and bottom edges. The candlewick decoration consists of a flower in the center, surrounded by several concentric borders: a flowering vine, overlapping rings, grapes and leaves on a vine, a square leafy border, and a meandering vine with grapes and leaves that emerges from a basket at the bottom edge.

The compound-weave cotton ground is constructed of three panels that are hand-stitched together. The selvedge of the left and right panels form the left and right edges of the bed covering. The top and bottom edges of the ground are folded under and finished with a hem stitch. The candlewick design is formed with a split stitch; the grapes are formed with a knot.

Condition: The ground has yellowed and has moderate stains. Crease lines are evidence across the width of the bed covering.
Object number1983.101.3
On View
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