RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Violin Bow
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: bow
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: ironwood (overall material)
ebony (overall material)
ivory (overall material)
horsehair (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5/8 in x 27 1/2 in x 1 1/8 in; 1.5875 cm x 69.85 cm x 2.8575 cm
Credit line: Gift of Lex K. Larson in memory of Arthur Larson
Topics: Musical instruments
Music
Description: This bow was made by an unknown maker, probably in England, 18th century. It is a violin bow made of a very dark brown ironwood. It is both octagonal and fluted. The button is of ivory and is not original to the bow. The unlined ivory frog has an open trench with a 19-point star to one side and a 17-point star on the other side inlaid in black compound with a ring of black around it. The throat opening of the frog is 10.0 mm. The throat at the head is 11.0 mm. There is an ebony face plate on the tip. The bow has no modern camber.
Catlin 6-keyed Bassoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: bassoon
date made: ca. 1810
maker: Catlin, George
place made: United States: Connecticut, Hartford
Physical Description: maple (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 122.7 cm; 48 5/16 in
bell: 12 1/16 in x 2 in; 30.63875 cm x 5.08 cm
crook: 3 3/4 in x 9 5/16 in x 9/16 in; 9.525 cm x 23.65375 cm x 1.42875 cm
long joint: 22 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in x 2 in; 57.15 cm x 4.445 cm x 5.08 cm
wing joint: 20 3/8 in x 1 3/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 51.7525 cm x 4.445 cm x 3.81 cm
boot: 17 3/8 in x 3 in x 2 9/16 in; 44.1325 cm x 7.62 cm x 6.50875 cm
Topics: Musical instruments
Music
Description: <p>This bassoon was made by George Catlin in Hartford, Connecticut, about 1810. It is a 6-keyed bassoon, made of stained maple with brass keys. The bassoon is stamped:</p>
<p>CATLIN<br>HARTFORD</p>
Simpson Violin
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: violin
Date made: ca 1790
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 23 3/4 in x 8 1/2 in x 4 1/8 in; 60.325 cm x 21.59 cm x 10.4775 cm
Credit line: Beatrice and Jacques Francais
Topics: Musical instruments
Music
Description (Brief): This violin was made by John Simpson of London, England around 1790.
Dulcken Grand Piano
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: piano
date made: 1785 - 1790
maker: Dulcken, Jean-Louis
Place Made: Germany: Bavaria, Munich
Physical Description: deerskin on wood (hammers material)
brass; iron (strings material)
wood (frame material)
cherry veneer (case material)
Credit line: Gift of Hugo Worch
Topics: Musical instruments
Pianos
Music
Description (Brief): This grand piano was made by Jean-Louis Dulcken in Munich, Germany around 1790. There is an inscription in ink on the soundboard, discovered during a restoration in 1985, that reads “Dulchen in München.” The piano also has a spurious Stein label on the soundboard. The piano has a compass of FF-g3, Viennese action, with back checks on rail, deerskin on wood core hammers, brass and iron strings, 2 strings for each note, 2 knee levers: both damper lifters, wood frame, straight-strung, and a cherry veneer case.
Zumpe and Buntebart Square Piano
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: piano
date made: 1770
maker: Johannes Zumpe et Buntebart
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Credit line: Made available through the Cooper Union Museum
Topics: Musical instruments
Pianos
Music
Description: This square piano was made by Johannes Zumpe and Gabriel Bunterbart in London, England in 1770. Zumpe was born in Firth, Germany, first apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, and about 1750, went to London, where he worked for harpsichord maker, Burkat Shudi. Bunterbart was also born in Germany and from 1768, appears with Zumpe on the nameboards of their pianos. This may be the oldest piano in the Smithsonian collection. It has a compass of F-f3 (no F#), Zumpe single action, leather hammers, double-strings, first 6 anotes are wound, tuning pins on the right, 3 hand stops: moderator, bass dampers, and treble dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
New England Bass Viol Case
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: case
date made: 1800-1825
place made: United States
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
felt (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 50 3/8 in x 19 5/8 in x 12 1/8 in; 127.9525 cm x 49.8475 cm x 30.7975 cm
Topics: Musical instruments
Music
Description (Brief): This New England Bass Viol case was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1800-1825. It is made of black painted wood with green felt lining. This case was accessioned with a New England Bass Viol made by William Green (Cat. #1985.0861.01).
Alençon Needle Lace Border
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Lace
lace, trim
lace
date made: 1770-1790
Physical Description: needle lace, alençon (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 in x 23 1/2 in; x 5.08 cm x 59.69 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. James W. Pinchot
Topics: Lace and lace making
Textiles
Description (Brief): Border in Alençon needle lace.18th century motifs combined in the third quarter of 19th century.
Napoleonic Bees Needle Lace Collar
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: lace
lace, collar
lace
date made: 1805-1810
commissioner: Napoleon I Emperor of France
maker: unknown
place made: France
Physical Description: linen (overall material)
needle lace, Alençon (overall material)
Measurements: overall, inside edge: 25 in x 6 in; 63.5 cm x 15.24 cm
Credit line: Gift of Miss Annie-May Hegeman, 1915
Topics: Lace and lace making
Adornment
Costume
Clothing and dress
Dress accessories
Textiles
Description: Napoleonic bees decorate this Alençon needlelace collar. The bee motifs are applied to the background net, motifs of laurel wreaths adorn the outside edge. It was pieced together to make collar, probably during the third quarter of the 19th century. The collar matches the pattern on the bed set Napoleon ordered for his firstborn. The background mesh is mostly wrapped Argentan brides tortillées.
Alencon Needle Lace Border
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Lace
lace, border
lace
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: needle lace, alencon (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/4 in x 30 in; 5.715 cm x 76.2 cm
Credit line: Bequest of the Misses Long
Topics: Lace and lace making
Textiles
Argentan needle lace border with strips of Alençon needle lace
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Lace
lace, border
lace
date made: 1775-1800
place made: France
Physical Description: needle lace, argentan, alençon (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 70 in x 2 in; x 177.8 cm x 5.08 cm
Credit line: Miss Emily Tuckerman, 1924
Topics: Lace and lace making
Textiles
Description (Brief): Argentan needle lace border with strips of Alençon needle lace
border
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Lace
lace, sample
lace
date made: 18th century
Measurements: overall: 4 in x 2 1/4 in; 10.16 cm x 5.715 cm
Credit line: gift of Mrs. Marjorie S. Palmer thru Mrs. Adelaide S. Whittemore, 1968
Topics: Lace and lace making
Textiles
18th century Pt. de Venise a Reseau Lappets seamed together at center.
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Lace
lace, lappets
lace
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: needle lace, pt de venise (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 10 cm x 118 in; x 3 15/16 in x 299.72 cm
Credit line: Mrs. Hugh Bullock & Mrs. Robert Goetz 4-28-66
Topics: Lace and lace making
Textiles
Eunice Moore; coverlet, overshot; c. 1800; Massachusetts
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
coverlet
Date made: ca. 1800
maker: unknown
Place Made: United States: Georgia, Unknown
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Worthington
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
gold (overall color)
white (overall color)
cotton (overall material)
wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 92 in x 70 in; 233.68 cm x 177.8 cm
Credit line: Bequest of the Misses Long
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: According to an inscription sewn to this coverlet, Mrs. Eunice Moore of Worthington, Massachusetts wove this simple “Block and Table” overshot coverlet in 1800 from gold wool and natural cotton yarns. Moore was the grandmother of Armida Everett, mother of the donors. The coverlet measures 92 inches by 70 inches and was woven as one length, cut into two panels, and sewn up the center. It was common practice to remove the center seam to wash coverlet as their size and weight when wet made them hard to deal with. The last time this coverlet’s seam was removed, the owner sewed it together again backwards. The central pattern would originally have been two side borders and the current outer edges would have been matched up to create a larger centerfield design.
Copp Family Overshot Coverlet; Connecticut; c. 1790-1820
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
date made: 1800-1825
1790-1820
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Connecticut, Stonington
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
cotton, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 88 3/4 in x 84 in; 225.425 cm x 213.36 cm
Credit line: Gift of John Brenton Copp
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: A member of the Copp family of Stonington, Connecticut wove this green, red, and white, overshot coverlet in a “Single Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet was constructed of two panels woven as one length and features an applied wool fringe on three sides.
"Star and Diamond" multi-harness coverlet; c. 1790-1840; Pennsylvania
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, multi-harness
delete: 19th century
date made: 1790-1840
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
Physical Description: multi-harness (overall production method/technique)
red (overall color)
white (overall color)
blue (overall color)
wool (overall material)
cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 85 in x 74 in; 215.9 cm x 187.96 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. John H. Murray
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This red, white, and blue, multi-harness coverlet features what has come to be known as the "star and diamond" pattern. This particular pattern was woven on a 14-shaft loom. Some of the variations of this star-work required eighteen shafts. The coverlet was loaned to the museum in the 1930s and later donated in the 1970s. Mrs. John H. Murray purchased the coverlet in Frederick, MD with green stamps, and there may be a Maryland connection with production of this coverlet; however, known weaver’s pattern books tend to all be focused on Southeastern Pennsylvania. Famous pattern books created by weavers like Jacob Angstadt, John Landes, and NMAH’s own pattern book by Peter Stauffer all contain variations of these multi-harness patterns. The coverlet was woven in two pieces and the pattern does not quite match up at the center seam. Whether this is due to shrinkage from improper washing or from uneven beating on the loom remains to be determined. There are remnants of a self-fringe along the sides that has worn away and both the top and bottom edge of the coverlet are hemmed with a simple rolled hem. The coverlet is composed of what appears to be a 3-ply cotton warp and a 2-ply or single of natural cotton for the weft.
"Orange Peel;" coverlet; overshot; c. 1790-1825
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
date made: 1800-1850
1800-1900
1790-1825
maker: unknown
place made: United States: New York
Physical Description: Orange Peel (overall pattern)
overshot (overall production method/technique)
wool, cotton (overall material)
blue, white (overall color)
Measurements: overall: 72 in x 94 in; 182.88 cm x 238.76 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Daniel Gardner
Topics: Art
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This blue and white, overshot coverlet was woven in a simplified version of the “Orange Peel” pattern. The two-paneled coverlet measures ninety-four inches in length by seventy-two inches wide. The plain weave ground cloth is made up of natural or unbleached linen or cotton warp and weft yarn and the supplementary pattern weft is a 2-ply wool yarn. There is some staining and slight discoloration, but overall this coverlet is in fairly good condition. Because the donor collected this coverlet from and unknown sources, the date and maker of this blue and white, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet is unknown. The coverlet was probably made between 1790 and 1825 and could possibly be from New York. The weaver of this early coverlet would also likely have been a woman or group of women who would pool equipment and skill sets to produce domestic goods for themselves and their neighbors. Since this coverlet dates from the early 19th century, it is quite likely that some or even all of the yarns used were homespun. Professional weavers switched to machine-spun cotton as soon as it was available, but hand-spun wool continued in use in coverlets in the early 19th century.
Elizabeth Franklin; coverlet, overshot; 1790-1814; Virginia
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
coverlet
Pine Bloom
Date made: 19th Century
date made: 1790-1814
maker: Franklin, Elizabeth
Place Made: United States: Virginia, Westmoreland
place made: United States: Virginia, Montross
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
pine bloom (overall pattern)
red (overall color)
white (overall color)
blue (overall color)
wool (overall material)
cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 78 in x 111 in; 198.12 cm x 281.94 cm
Credit line: Gift of George J. Hassett
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Elizabeth Franklin of Montross, Virginia wove this three panel, overshot, red, white, and blue, cotton and wool coverlet sometime between approximately 1790 and 1814. Franklin’s great-grand-daughter, Evelyn Balderson Riley (b. 1885) stated that the coverlet was “in the family when the British raided Baltimore and the Potomac." More research is needed to link Evelyn B. Riley to Elizabeth Franklin, and the nature of late-eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century genealogical documents makes identifying female ancestors all the more difficult. What is known is that Riley’s paternal grandfather, James B. Balderson (b. c.1805) and his wife, Telicia Phenzen Balderson (b. c.1803) owned at least fifty-five enslaved people according to the 1840 Slave Schedule. These were wealthy landed families, and the weaving of coverlets, although possibly done by the women of the family, likely involved the free labor of enslaved women and children.
The coverlet pattern is most commonly referred to as “Pine Blossom/Bloom,” but, as with all coverlet pattern names, they varied based on time and geography. The coverlet is made from cotton and wool, Z-spun singles, suggesting hand spinning for both yarns and an early date of creation. The three panel coverlet measures 111”x78”.
Swigget Family coverlet; overshot; 19th century; Tennessee
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
date made: 1800-1850
place made: United States: Tennessee
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
queen's fancy (overall pattern)
orange (overall color)
blue (overall color)
wool (overall material)
cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 90 in x 74 in; 228.6 cm x 187.96 cm
Credit line: Gift of Grace Kiess Swigget through Samuel A. Swigget
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This overshot coverlet is constructed of two panels which were woven as one length, cut, and sewn up the center. The pattern is a variation of “Queen’s Fancy.” The weaver used 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton in the warp and weft to create the plain weave ground and madder-dyed Z-spun wool singles for the supplementary pattern weft. The coverlet was received by the museum as two separate panels. The center seam was often removed to wash coverlets because of their size and their weight when wet. Also, during early Colonial Revival design, overshot coverlets like this one were repurposed as table runners, portieres, and other decorative objects outside of bedcoverings, and it is not uncommon to find them as separate panels. The overall coverlet measures 90 inches by 74 inches. Each panel is 37 inches wide. According to the donor, this particular coverlet descended in the Swigget family and was used as portieres. It is claimed to have been woven in Tennessee in the early nineteenth century.
Abbie Corey Bracket overshot coverlet; Connecticut; early 19th C.
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
date made: 1800-1825
owner; possible maker: Brackett, Abbie Corey
place woven: United States: Connecticut, Plainfield
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
wool (overall material)
cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 80 in x 98 in; 203.2 cm x 248.92 cm
Credit line: Gift of Gertrude O. S. Cleveland
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Abbie Corey Brackett is said to have woven this cotton and wool overshot coverlet on the Corey farm in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. It is woven in two sections, each forty inches wide. The center seam of this single-woven coverlet is sewn with linen thread. The attached fringe is eight inches deep, and made of hand-knotted wool. In the 18th and 19th centuries, very few women were involved in weaving anything as complicated as a coverlet. However, women were involved in spinning fiber into yarn. They would take the yarn to a professional weaver and pay him to make them a coverlet. The coverlet might have been used immediately or it could be put into the maker's dowry, or hope chest, for use after marriage.
Overshot coverlet panels, Catalpa Flower; New York, first half 19th century
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet panels, overshot
Date made: 19th century
date made: 1800-1850
maker: unknown
place made: United States: New York
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
"catalpa flower" (overall pattern)
indigo, white (overall color)
cotton, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 75 in x 35 1/4 in; 190.5 cm x 89.535 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Katherine Arnold Van Meter, through her son Mr. Robin A. Van Meter
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This overshot, indigo and white coverlet (now separated into two panels) is woven in the "Catalpa Flower" pattern. Overshot patterning is based on a float weave structure, where a supplementary weft yarn is added to create the pattern. The yarn floats or shoots over the top of the plain weave ground cloth creating the pattern. The pattern is a reversible negative, meaning that the color combination is reversed on the opposite side. Overshot coverlets can be woven on simple four-shaft looms. They are usually associated with domestic production and many of them are attributed to female weavers. Professional male weavers also wove floatwork coverlets. Many overshot patterns have names; however, these names changed and varied due to time and location. According to the donor, this coverlet descended through the Van Meter family of New York and was likely woven in the first half of the nineteenth century by a female ancestor. The two coverlet panels would have been joined with a center seam. These panels were repurposed during the early 20th century Colonial Revival decorating period and used as portieres in the Van Meter home. Each of the two panels measures 75 inches by 35.25 inches.
bed hanging, hosptial
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Bed hanging, hosptial
Bed hanging, hosptial; Bed hanging; Coverlet; T15059
Date made: c. 1790
maker: unknown
Physical Description: single weave (overall production method/technique)
light blue (overall color)
white (overall color)
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Geometric Double-cloth coverlet; 1790-1820
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet
coverlet, geometric
date made: 1790-1820
late 18th century
early 19th century
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: geometric (overall style)
double weave (overall production method/technique)
cotton, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 85 3/4 in x 71 9/16 in; 217.805 cm x 181.737 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. John H. Murray
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This blue and white double-woven geometric coverlet was made in the very late 18th or early 19th century. The center design of the coverlet features alternating rows of “X”’s and squares. The coverlet has three deep borders of elongated “Pine Trees.” Three of the four edges are turned under, and stitched in place with an overcast stitch. The fourth edge is finished with a self fringe. The coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and may have been woven in Maryland. The name of the weaver is unknown. Since this coverlet is double-woven, it is reversible, and has two sets of warp and filling yarns. Textiles such as this were frequently listed in household inventories, and passed down through several generations of the same family.
"Snowballs and Pine Tree" Geometric double-cloth coverlet; 1800-1830
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet
coverlet, geometric
date made: 1800-1830
early 19th century
1827
maker: unknown
place made: United States: New York
Physical Description: double weave (overall production method/technique)
cotton, wool (overall material)
Snowball, Pine Tree (overall pattern)
Measurements: overall: 93 in x 72 in; 236.22 cm x 182.88 cm
Credit line: Gift of Estelle Randall Carlin
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This blue and white cotton and wool coverlet features a variation of the Snowball pattern in the center, and a variation of the Pine Tree pattern along its borders. It is double-woven and believed to have been made in New York State in the first half of the 19th century. It was passed down through the family of the original owner to the donor, before being given to the Museum. The name of the weaver is unknown. Its condition is testimony to many years of use. Coverlets are damaged by sunlight, insects, and abrasion brought on by everyday use. They are frequently worn away at the top edge, by the owner pulling them up at night to stay warm.
"Washington Beauty" Geometric Double-cloth Coverlet; 1800-1850
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet
coverlet, geometric
date made: 1800-1850
place made: United States
Physical Description: geometric (overall style)
double weave (overall production method/technique)
wool (overall material)
cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 102 in x 77 in; 259.08 cm x 195.58 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Antoinette Potter, In memory of Miss Kate Van Cleve
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: The pattern used in this coverlet is known as “Washington Beauty,” and can be found in <I>Heirlooms from Old Looms </I>, p.151, published in 1955. The coverlet has "Pine Tree" borders on three sides, and a self fringe at the lower edge. The overall design features “Snowballs.” The coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and was probably woven in the first half of the 19th century. The name of the weaver is unknown. The complex design found in this coverlet is made entirely with squares and rectangles. Coverlet weavers kept “drafts” of the various designs they used, and sometimes sold them to each other.