Hearth Rug
MakerAttributed to the
Hanmer family
(American)
Date1800-1820
MediumWool, linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions: 33 1/8 x 61 1/4in. (84.1 x 155.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2010.409.0
DescriptionYarn-sewn rug worked with cut and uncut looped stitches with multi-plied wool yarn (or bunches of fine singles) on a plain-woven linen backing. From the back, the stitches look like seed stitches.
The design consists of an elongated oval medallion set within a rectangular frame. At each corner of the frame is worked a red rose motif with budding stems extending for 8-10" along the sides. Within the oval medallion appears a scene with a little boy and girl with a basket of grapes and a grape vine growing up into a large tree. In the distance on the right side can be seen a two-story house with two chimneys. The house is pale yellow and is surrounded by trees. On the left side of the scene is a grove of trees. The little boy wears a red skeleton suit. The ruffled collar of his white shirt edges the wide neckline. the little girl wears a light-colored empire-waisted dress with short sleeves. A red ribbon encircles the high waistline and she wears red shoes. The faces of the boy and girl, as well as the arms of the girl are appliqued of white, twill-woven worsted (?), which is slightly padded for dimension. The features of the girl's face are marked in ink, while the boy's features are quilted over the inked lines.
The colors predominating in the rug are shades of cream, tan, and brown, with green, red, and blue. Cream-colored uncut loops of yarn are used to outline the ribs of the basket, and the mullions of the house windows. The window panes are also uncut blue loops. The "buttons" on the boy's skeleton suit are uncut white loops. Scalloping in medium brown yarn is worked along the interior edges of the rectangular frame. The edges of the linen goundation fabric are hemmed.
NotesProvenance Note: According to family tradition, this rug is from the Samuel Hanmer homestead of Wethersfield, Connecticut, which was built in 1765.The design consists of an elongated oval medallion set within a rectangular frame. At each corner of the frame is worked a red rose motif with budding stems extending for 8-10" along the sides. Within the oval medallion appears a scene with a little boy and girl with a basket of grapes and a grape vine growing up into a large tree. In the distance on the right side can be seen a two-story house with two chimneys. The house is pale yellow and is surrounded by trees. On the left side of the scene is a grove of trees. The little boy wears a red skeleton suit. The ruffled collar of his white shirt edges the wide neckline. the little girl wears a light-colored empire-waisted dress with short sleeves. A red ribbon encircles the high waistline and she wears red shoes. The faces of the boy and girl, as well as the arms of the girl are appliqued of white, twill-woven worsted (?), which is slightly padded for dimension. The features of the girl's face are marked in ink, while the boy's features are quilted over the inked lines.
The colors predominating in the rug are shades of cream, tan, and brown, with green, red, and blue. Cream-colored uncut loops of yarn are used to outline the ribs of the basket, and the mullions of the house windows. The window panes are also uncut blue loops. The "buttons" on the boy's skeleton suit are uncut white loops. Scalloping in medium brown yarn is worked along the interior edges of the rectangular frame. The edges of the linen goundation fabric are hemmed.
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