coverlet; Figured and Fancy, double-cloth; 1825; New York
date: label: Date made
content: 1825
label: Date made
content: July, 1825
notes: label: Description
content: This blue and white, double cloth, Figured and Fancy coverlet features Great Seal eagles and Federal style steeple architecture in the borders, and “Double Tulip” medallions in the center. The tulip medallion (the type woven by James Alexander and other New York State weavers) is repeated throughout the centerfield of the coverlet. The eagles in upper and lower edges have a Masonic symbol and little monkeys and dogs in-between. The words "Agriculture & Manufactures are the Foundation of Our Independence July 4, 1825 P + Wagman GNRL Lafayette" are woven into each of the four corners. 1825 was the 50th anniversary of American independence as well as the first year of a two year visit from famed Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette. The coverlet may have been made as a commemorative item for both of these events. This coverlet design has been replicated numerous times dated from 1824-1840 and appears in major museums across the country. NMAH has another red and white coverlet of the same design. This design was initially associated with weaver, James Alexander of New York, but the consensus has changed. This group of coverlets was woven by more than one weaver whose identities have not yet been found. The floral medallions harken back to Scottish and English double-woven carpet designs. See also T14962 and T16116.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New York
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Textiles
label: See more items in
content: Coverlets
label: See more items in
content: Textiles
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John Porter Wagman and Marguerite Wagman
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: TE.T18131
label: catalog number
content: T18131.000
label: accession number
content: 323465
objectType: label: Object Name
content: coverlet, figured
label: Object Name
content: coverlet
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: Figured and Fancy (overall production method/technique)
label: Physical Description
content: double cloth (overall production method/technique)
label: Physical Description
content: eagle (border pattern)
label: Physical Description
content: medallion (center pattern)
label: Physical Description
content: blue (overall color)
label: Physical Description
content: white (overall color)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 105 3/4 in x 74 1/2 in; 268.605 cm x 189.23 cm