Bedspread

Object Name:

Bedspread

Object ID:

1964.028

Date:

circa 1865

Description:

Bedspread. White. Candle wicking, design of stars and pin wheels in diamond lattice. Three panels of corded base fabric approximately 31" wide. Two corners cut off diagonally so long measure across bed. Rectangular, slightly rounded ends, two canted corners. Candlewick design of swags and abstract figures for border surrounding lattice-work design with a four-petaled flower-like figure in the center of each opening in the lattice.

Candlewick embroidered counterpane in imitation of a Bolton spread; embroidered with heavy white plied cotton yarn with shallow loops in a discontinuous back stitch. The diamond grid design of the center field is filled with alternating flyfots and oval quatrefoils; border swag design is filled with motifs resembling fleur-de-lis. Lower corners of the counterpane are cut at a slant; the ribbed white cotton foundation fabric is seamed in three panels with selvedge to selvedge width of 32.5"; all four edges hemmed; top edge machine-stitched and appears to have been cut down at the top.

Material:

Textile
Cotton

Dimensions:

W-94 L-78 inches

Provenance:

A Ruggles family heirloom. From the Bryant family of Plainfield, NH. This family came to Plainfield from Cornish, NH, around 1860 when Henry and Seraph Bryant, great grandparents of the donor, made the move. Their second child, Mary Elizabeth, married William H. Ruggles on August 7, 1865, grandfather of the donor. See accessions file for complete family history.

Credit Line:

Gift of Sydney S. Ruggles and Ruth Ruggles

People:

Ruggles, Sydney, Bryant, Seraph (1803-1888), Bryant, Henry (1804-1888)

Subjects:

Sewing, Bedspreads, Textiles, Weaving