Woven Coverlet
Date1845
MediumCotton, wool
DimensionsOverall with fringe: 83 × 63 3/8 in. (210.8 × 161cm)
Credit LineGift of Edwin and Peggy Lutz
Object number2024.609.21
DescriptionThis is a tied Beiderwand woven coverlet made of red, blue, and green wool with natural cotton and light blue tie-down thread. The coverlet has a seam down the center. The coverlet has self-fringe on three sides and is hemmed on the top. The centerfield has a repeated pattern of four roses with leaves, four large stars in the corners, and 12 smaller bordering stars. The top has no border. The sides have a repeated bird and rose border. The bottom has an abstract floral motif with a repeated diamond border.Label TextMany coverlet weavers turned to the trade when figured and fancy coverlets were at their most popular- in the 1840s and 1850s- but found alternative means of income when they fell out of fashion. Thomas M. Alexander wove this coverlet while living in Salt Creek Township, Ohio, but by 1860, he was living in Farmer Township and was known for his productive acreage. The 'History of Defiance County, Ohio', published in 1883, described that Alexander "has a fine orchard, having many trees from nurseries planted by the eccentric 'Johnny Appleseed'. The trees are large, and bear very well."Provenance1845 made by Thomas M. Alexander (Salt Creek Township, OH); prior to 1974 owned by Lola Mae Welch Lutz (Nankin, OH); 1974 passed by descent to Edwin and Peggy Lutz (Salisbury, NC); 2024-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
Samuel Hippert
1836 (dated)