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Coverlet
Peter Lorenz (Weaver) (American)
American
1837-1846
Medium/Technique
woven coverlet, wool
Dimensions
Length x width: 217.2 × 200.7 cm (85 1/2 × 79 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the American Textile History Museum
Accession Number2017.883
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionFigured coverlet; undyed and blue cotton and blue wool, tied double cloth (Beiderwand). Coverlet consists of two panels joined with butted seam. Top edge has been bound with narrow band of three different indigo and white printed cotton fabrics; the three remaining sides are self-fringed. Central motif is a medallion of four roses; one secondary motif is a radiating star; another secondary motif is a pair of eight-pointed stars which separate the four roses in each direction. Border on three sides is design of swags and tassels; square cross at bottom center of each swag and tassel hangs from peak of each swag;above swags is row of alternating square and round crosses from which five tassels hang into the dip of the swag. Corner block is square outlined with narrow plain line; 1/4 reflection of eight-pointed star in upper left and right corners, below is square cross, below is name, below is wide plain band. Peter Lorenz coverlet, 1801.Perfect condition. Woven in two sections on a loom fitted with a Jacquard attachment, in a single weave with visible blue marker threads. The fringe is naturally woven. Peter Lorenz, the weaver, was born in France, then moved to Ohio. The Wayne County Historical Museum of Richmond, Indiana, locates him as weaving there in 1838, perhaps with Henry Adolf, since they used similar patterns and dyes. The pattern is double rose. No insect damage. The coverlet "needs to be laundered" - The Colonial Coverlet Guild of America. Peter Lorenz's signature blocks on his coverlets also show his name spelled Lorentz. The C.C.G.A. locates him in Wayne County Indiana in 1838 however, Montgomery states that Lorenz has not been found in any Indian records. The O.H.S. says that he was weaving in Xenia, Ohio in 1843, and that later he moved from Warren Country, Ohio, to Illinois. The 1850 U.S. census includes Lorenz as a weaver in German Township, Ohio 1836-1846.
ProvenanceSold to the American Textile History Museum, Lowell, MA; 2017, gift of the American Textile History Museum to the MFA. (Accession date: June 21, 2017)