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Gift of Mrs. Ruth M. Hoskins, 1965.29.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth © 2008 The Connecticut Hi…
Candlewick Bed Covering
Gift of Mrs. Ruth M. Hoskins, 1965.29.0 Photograph by Gavin Ashworth © 2008 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Candlewick Bed Covering

EmbroidererEmbroidered by Susannah Courtney American, 1796 - 1853
Date1825
MediumEmbroidery; cotton yarn (three-ply), cotton thread on a plain-woven linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 92 x 108in. (233.7 x 274.3cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Ruth M. Hoskins
DescriptionCandlewick bed covering, consisting of a single layer of plain-woven linen decorated with embroidered three-ply cotton yarn; the bed covering is embroidered with the initials "SC" at the top center and the date "1825" at the center. The candlewick decoration includes a spray of flowers at the center, over the date "1825; this is surrounded by a four-sided, undulating border. Above this are the initials "SC" inside an oval cartouche of leaves on a vine. These two areas are surrounded by an undulating vine of flowers, fruits and leaves on a vine. This vine is flanked by a narrow border of small leaves on a straight vine. Around the sides and bottom of the bed covering is a wide border of flowers, fruits and leaves on undulating vines that are joined at the bottom center. Each edge of the bed covering has a narrow border of long leaves on an undulating vine. The sides and bottom edges of the bedcovering have a knotted net edging with fringe.

The plain-woven linen ground is constructed of three panels that are hand-stitched together; these are joined selvedge to selvedge. The top and bottom edges of the ground are double-turned with a narrow hem. The candlewick design is formed with a running stitch.

Condition: The ground has yellowed and stained in specific locations, at the center and sides of the bedcovering. The bed covering has scattered small holes and small stains.
Object number1965.29.0
Subject Terms
    On View
    Not on view
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