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Coverlet

James Alexander (Weaver, possibly) (American, Orange County, New York)
Client: O. Sheldon (American)
American
around 1827
Object Place: Orange County, New York, United States

Medium/Technique Cotton and wool, jacquard woven
Dimensions Length x width: 233.7 × 190.5 cm (92 × 75 in.)
Credit Line Gift of the American Textile History Museum—North Andover Historical Society
Accession Number2017.863
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsTextiles

DescriptionFigured coverlet woven with undyed cotton threads and blue wool threads in a double cloth or complex weave achieved with a Jacquard loom mechanism. Woven in a full width with hemmed edges at top and bottom. Central field woven in pattern of six floral medallions alternating with a single flower motif. At sides, there is a border pattern of three pairs of eagles joined by a crescent of stars and clover flanking fluted columns and a building (which could possibly depict Independence Hall). At top and bottom, there is similar border pattern top with two pairs of eagles joined by a crescent of stars and clover, flanking fluted columns. Each corner block is woven with a single blossom with two leaves and Masonic motifs. Woven twice across lower edge: "O:SHELDON.DOVER" Woven in four corner blocks: "Agriculture and Manufacturers are the Foundation of our Independence, July 4th 1827- Dover".
InscriptionsWoven twice across lower edge: "O:SHELDON.DOVER" Woven in four corner blocks: "Agriculture and Manufacturers are the Foundation of our Independence, July 4th 1827- Dover".
ProvenanceSold by J. Wilcoxson, to the American Textile History Museum, Lowell, MA; 2017 gift of American Textile History Museum to the MFA (Accession date: June 21, 2017)