Collection Highlights
Swing Low: A Harriet Tubman memorial
2007
2009.34
Cast bronze
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Coverlet
Object name
Coverlet
Date
1780-1830
Medium
Cotton
Dimensions
Overall: 82 1/2 x 81 1/2 x 1/4 in. ( 209.6 x 207 x 0.6 cm )
Description
Double-layered white cotton "Marseilles quilt" or coverlet; medallion at center with 12-pointed star, chain and floral motifs, and double-serpentine curves forming outer frame; wide border with diamonds and X's on four sides.
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Lucille de Luze Foley
Object Number
1941.719
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.