United States Flag
Textile MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1861-1865
MediumHand-stitched: Plain woven cotton; stars and white stripes, plain woven wool; red stripes
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 41 x 57in. (104.1 x 144.8cm)
Other (canton height x width): 19 x 20 1/2in. (48.3 x 52.1cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Alfred Howe Terry
Object number1959.1.3
DescriptionAmerican flag consisting of 36 stars and 13 red and white stripes. The 13 alternating horizontal red and white stripes start with a red stripe at the top and end with a red stripe on the bottom with the canton resting on a red stripe. The red stripes are made of wool and the white stripes are cotton, with the stripes hand stitched together. The canton is made of 3 separate pieces of blue wool sewn together horizontally and then stitched to the stripes. The canton contains 36 appliquéd white cotton stars, of which 30 are large and 6 are small. The 30 large stars are arranged in 6 horizontal rows of 5, with the orientation of the points being random. Two of the smaller stars are added between the first and second row between the first and second star and the fourth and fifth star. Two more of the smaller stars are added between the third and fourth rows, between the first and second star and fourth and fifth star. The last two of the stars are added between the fifth and sixth row, between the first and second star and the fourth and fifth star. The orientation of the points on the smaller stars is random as well. The flag has no header on its hoist end.
NotesDate note: Based on the number of stars on the flag it dates to 1865, however without knowing whether the 6 smaller stars are original or added at a later time, and the fact the the canton rests on a red stripe, or war stripe, it is dated as civil war period. (Brundage, 7/31/2008)Status
Not on view
