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Textile
English
about 1785
Object Place: England
Medium/Technique
Printed linen and cotton (linen warp and cotton weft)
Dimensions
76 x 104 cm (29 15/16 x 40 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Mary E. Graves Norcross
Accession Number14.881
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionWarp linen, weft cotton printed in red from an engraved copper plate. The pattern consists of Liberty seated in a car drawn by two lionesses and driven by George Washington. Indians with trumpets and banners precede the car. Liberty holds a shield on which is "American Independence, 1776". On a scroll on an oak tree is "Stamp Act, Liberty". Alternating with this pattern is Liberty with a helmet and shield on which are 13 stars, leading Benjamin Franklin to the "Temple of Fame". Franklin holds a scroll on which is "Where Liberty dwells there is my country". A woman holds an end of Franklin's scroll in one hand and a pole with a liberty cap on it, in the other, probably meant for France. An angel with two trumpets is descending a long flight of steps from the temple, between the angel and Liberty are two cherubs holding the world.
ProvenanceMiss Mary E. Graves Norcross; Gift to the MFA November 5, 1914.