Quilt

Object Name:

Quilt

Object ID:

1967.537

Creator:

Carter, Eliza (1792-1864)

Place of Origin:

Dublin, NH/Keene, NH

Date:

1820-1840

Description:

Quilt. Made by Eliza Carter (1792-1864), Dublin or Keene, NH; 1820-1840. Whole cloth. White cotton with added drops on two sides and the bottom to form a T shape to fit around the bed posts. (This appears to be a later alteration--evidence of the longevity of this style of quilt, and possibly evidence of interest in the quilt during the Colonial Revival period when the style was revived.) The top of the quilt is purposely made wider, and is fitted with darts at the upper edge to accommodate the bulk of pillows underneath, so that the sides would hang evenly across the bottom. The quilted design, worked in white cotton thread at 9 stitches to the inch, features a framed central medallion that is inspired by designs seen in machine-woven Marseilles quilts. The central medallion is an oval with feathered motifs arranged in heart shapes; set within a rectangular frame with quarter-circle motifs of floral motifs inside the corners. An undulating running feather surrounds this central design. The drops are attached separately and are quilted with a swag-and-bowknot border on a diamond grid background. The seams are covered with manufactured white cotton tape. The edges are covered in a variety of the same tape, twill tape, and white cotton fabric applied on the straight grain. The quilt has a thick batting so that the quilted motifs are clearly evident, but there does not appear to be any extra stuffing of the motifs from the back.

Material:

Textile
Cotton

Dimensions:

W-99.5 L-90 inches

Provenance:

Made by Eliza Carter (1792-1864) of Dublin and Keene, NH, niece of Dr. Amos Twitchell.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

Carter, Eliza (1792-1864)

Subjects:

Needlework, Quilting, Sewing, Quilts