Comforter
- Object Name:
- Comforter
- Object ID:
- 2002.013.01
- Creator:
- Whitcomb, Jenny (1880- )
- Place of Origin:
- Troy, NH
- Date:
- 1847
- Description:
- Quilt. Signature or friendship type; Ohio Star pattern. Cotton; patchwork Top piece consists of nine-patch squares with a pattern called Ohio Star. Each corner patch is of one fabric type, patches between corners consist quarter triangles, two of the first fabric typeand two contrasting. The center patch of each square in white, most contain a signature, some have verses and some are dated 1847. The border around the squares is pink and white cotton with a pattern of darker pink circles and dots. The backing (added in the twentieth century) is cotton with a pattern of blue and pink pastel flowers. Knots of white cotton cord attach the top piece to the backing at the corners of the patches.
Comforter constructed in the 20th century of pieced friendship blocks from 1847. The blocks are in the Ohio Star pattern and hand-pieced of dress calicoes from the 1830s and 1840s. The centers of the stars are inked with signatures, and often verses and the year 1847. There are 30 blocks, arranged 6 x 5, measuring approximately 9.5" square each. The sashing is a 1930s (or so) pink and white calico that is machine-stitched to the blocks. The backing fabric is another Depression-Era calico with a blue and pink floral print on white. The edge finish is back to front, and the comforter is tied with white cotton string at the corners of the patches in the signature blocks. Thick batting. - Material:
- Textile
Cotton - Dimensions:
- W-68.6 L-76 inches
- Provenance:
- Made for Minerva Parker (1838-1854), daughter of Nathaniel Parker (1803-1854 or 1857) and Eliza Whitcomb Parker (d. 1847 or 1848). Minerva died before using the quilt. The backing was put on in the early 1900s by Jenny Whitcomb (b. 1880), a granddaughter of Nathaniel and Eliza and an aunt of the donor.
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Janet E. Whitcomb Merritt
- Subjects:
- Needlework, Quilting, Sewing
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