Collection Highlights
Diana of the Tower
1899
1977.3
Bronze
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Coverlet
Object name
Coverlet
Date
1780-1830
Medium
Cotton
Dimensions
Overall: 105 1/2 x 97 x 1/2 in. ( 268 x 246.4 x 1.3 cm )
Description
Double-layered white (now badly discolored) cotton "Marseilles quilt" or coverlet; large oval medallion at center within wide rectangular frame decorated with flower pots, meandering vines, bunches of grapes, and scattered blossoms; 12-pointed star at each corner.
Credit Line
Gift of Adelaide Milton de Groot
Object Number
1940.58
Gallery Label
Beginning in the latter half of the eighteenth century, weavers in Manchester, England, produced a double-layered woven cotton meant to resemble fine hand quilting. It was erroneously assumed that this type of cloth came from the French port of Marseilles, hence the term "Marseilles quilting." American merchants used Marseilles quilting for petticoats and men's summer waistcoats as well as ready-made coverlets. Marseilles quilts remained popular well into the nineteenth century.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
