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Gift of Mrs. J. Chandlee Ergood, 1980.9.1  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticu…
Wholecloth Quilt
Gift of Mrs. J. Chandlee Ergood, 1980.9.1 Photograph by Gavin Ashworth. © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

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
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.
Object number1980.9.1
InscribedThe top left corner of the backing has cross-stitched initials in brown thread, including an "M", that run off the edge of the quilt.
Subject Terms
    Collections
    • Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740-1840
    On View
    Not on view
    Museum purchase, 1985.45.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut Historical So…
    Betsey Payne
    1808
    Wholecloth Quilt
    Asenath King
    about 1787
    1966.49.0 on a bed.
    Lucy Arnold
    1815
    Gift of the Lyman Allyn Museum, 1959.54.3  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.   © 2009 The Connectic…
    Unknown
    1750-1770
    Gift of John T. Whitman, 1963.8.2  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut Histor…
    Esther Lyman
    1730-1760
    Wholecloth Quilt
    Mercy Copp
    embroidered 1775-1800, quilted 1800-1825
    Pieced Quilt
    Sylvia Jacobs
    about 1850
    Gift of Mary Seelye Rosevear, 1958.24.2  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth  © 2008 The Connecticut H…
    Amos Platt family
    1820-1840
    Museum purchase, 1982.58.0  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut Historical So…
    Unknown
    1750-1825
    Wholecloth Quilt
    Phelps family
    1825-1840
    Wholecloth Quilt
    Clarissa Dunham
    about 1820