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2025-139, Quilt
Counterpane or Quilt top, Pieced Silks
2025-139, Quilt

Counterpane or Quilt top, Pieced Silks

Date1750-1775, with earlier textiles
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Middlesex County, using British or European silks
MediumSilk, metallic threads, paper
Dimensions93 1/2 inches X 93 inches
Credit LineGift of Preservation Virginia
Object number2025-139
DescriptionSquare counterpane (quilt top or "coverlet") pieced of multicolor and black silk squares, squares on point, triangles, and rectangles. The large central square is densely pieced with a centralized design using brocaded, pattern-woven, velvet, and solid pieces using the paper template method. Some of the pieces are brocaded in floral patterns in silks and metallic threads. The outer edges are pieced conventionally from larger silk squares and rectangles. The counterpane is not backed or hemmed. A few fragments of the paper templates survive.Label TextThis eye-catching quilt is the earliest known silk quilt from Virginia, likely made ca. 1750-1775 by Margaret Boyd (ca. 1749-1777). Born in Northumberland County, Virginia, Boyd married Augustine Smith (1739-1774) of Middlesex County, Virginia in 1770. The couple lived at Shooter's Hill, the Smith family plantation along the Piankatank River in Middlesex County. Boyd and Smith had two children before their early deaths in the 1770s.

In her 1777 will, Margaret Boyd left her daughter this quilt, described as a "silk patch'd counterpane", alongside other valuables: "four other counterpanes vizt an India chintz, a callico patch'd, a callico patch'd and quilted and a Virginia cloth work'd"; "my set of gold tea spoons tongs & strainer", "a dressing table & dressing glass"; "all my wearing cloaths and [jewels]; and a "riding saddle".ProvenancePrior to 1777, made by Margaret Boyd [ca. 1738-1777] (Middlesex County, VA); 1777, willed to Mary Jacqueline Smith [1773-1846] (Alexandria, VA); 1846, passed by descent to Sarah Gosnell Vowell [1813-1902] (Alexandria, VA); 1902, passed by descent to Sarah Vowell Smith [1853-1906] (Alexandria, VA); 1906, passed by descent to Sarah Vowell Daingerfield [1876-1949] (Alexandria, VA); 1906-1949, given to Preservation Virginia (Richmond, VA); 2025, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)