Wholecloth Quilt
QuiltmakerAttributed to
Sylvia Punderson
(American, 1769 - 1826)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Eliza Maria Punderson
(American, 1804 - 1884)
Date1800-1825
MediumHand-stitched, plain-woven glazed worsted, or tammy; plain-woven wool; gold worsted thread
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 102 x 89 1/2in. (259.1 x 227.3cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Chandlee Ergood
Object number1980.9.1
DescriptionWholecloth quilt consisting of a pink, plain-woven glazed worsted, or tammy, top, batting, and a domestically-produced, plain-woven, gold wool backing; these three layers are hand-stitched together with gold worsted in an elaborate quilted pattern. The quilted pattern includes a large cornucopia in the center with a large spray of flowers and vines emerging from it. This is surrounded on four sides by a border of undulating vines with leaves, then a border of flowers and grapes on stems, then a scalloped border at the side and bottom edges of the quilt. The background consists of a field of diagonal lines.
The top consists of four panels of tammy. The backing consists of pieces of plain-woven light brown wool that are sewn together. Each edge of the quilt is finished with a knife edge.
Condition: The glazing on the tammy has worn unevenly. The tammy is stained and lightly faded. There is one hole punched through the top, batting, and backing. The backing has heavier stains and some small scattered tears.
The top consists of four panels of tammy. The backing consists of pieces of plain-woven light brown wool that are sewn together. Each edge of the quilt is finished with a knife edge.
Condition: The glazing on the tammy has worn unevenly. The tammy is stained and lightly faded. There is one hole punched through the top, batting, and backing. The backing has heavier stains and some small scattered tears.
Label TextWhole-cloth quilts continued in popularity into the early 1800s.
Decorative designs shifted from earlier motifs of large leaves and flowers,
to neoclassical designs of delicate arrangements in central medallions. The
use of gold-colored yarn for quilting is a technique that may have been a local
tradition in southeastern Connecticut.
Family history indicates that Sylvia Punderson Morgan made this quilt
and later presented it to her niece, Eliza Punderson, in preparation for
Eliza’s wedding in 1829.
Decorative designs shifted from earlier motifs of large leaves and flowers,
to neoclassical designs of delicate arrangements in central medallions. The
use of gold-colored yarn for quilting is a technique that may have been a local
tradition in southeastern Connecticut.
Family history indicates that Sylvia Punderson Morgan made this quilt
and later presented it to her niece, Eliza Punderson, in preparation for
Eliza’s wedding in 1829.
Status
Not on view
