Candlewick Bed Covering
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Unknown
Dateearly 19th century
MediumEmbroidery; cotton thread on a twill-woven cotton ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 89 x 99in. (226.1 x 251.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Howard B. Haylett
Object number1960.27.2
DescriptionCandlewick bed covering, consisting of a single layer of twill-woven cotton decorated with embroidered cotton yarn; the bed covering is embroidered with the initials "M.E.F." at the top center. The bed covering is T shaped, with a square cut-out at each lower corner to accommodate bed posts. The candlewick decoration consists of a four-lobed pinwheel design at the center with an additional lobe, or leaf, at each corner, surrounded by a square border of geometrically arranged tufts of cotton; this is located below the initials "M.E.F." inside a rectangular cartouche of leaves on a vine and additional tufts of cotton. The embroidered decoration in the center of the bed covering is surrounded on the sides and bottom by a border of leaves and grapes on an undulating vine; at the top edge are embroidered squares on point. Surrounding this at each side and the bottom of the bed covering are fan-shaped flowers inside an embroidered scroll. The side and bottom edges of the bedcovering are scalloped, with a border of tufts four deep that echo the scalloping.
The center section of the bed covering is constructed of a twill-woven cotton ground made of two panels that are hand-stitched together at the center; additional panels are sewn to the sides and bottom to form the scalloped edge panels of the bed covering. All the edges of the ground have a double-turned hem. The candlewick design is formed with a variety of stitches, including stem, rope, and whipped backstitch. The cotton tufts are created separately and held on with stitches through the back of the ground.
Condition: The ground and embroidered designs have yellowed generally, with additional staining up the center, at the lower left corner, and along the lower left and right edges.
The center section of the bed covering is constructed of a twill-woven cotton ground made of two panels that are hand-stitched together at the center; additional panels are sewn to the sides and bottom to form the scalloped edge panels of the bed covering. All the edges of the ground have a double-turned hem. The candlewick design is formed with a variety of stitches, including stem, rope, and whipped backstitch. The cotton tufts are created separately and held on with stitches through the back of the ground.
Condition: The ground and embroidered designs have yellowed generally, with additional staining up the center, at the lower left corner, and along the lower left and right edges.
Status
Not on view
