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Coverlet

Coverlet
Object name 
Coverlet
Date 
1780-1830
Medium 
Cotton
Dimensions 
Overall: 82 1/4 x 81 x 1/4 in. ( 208.9 x 205.7 x 0.6 cm )
Description 
Double-layered white cotton "Marseilles quilt" or coverlet; rectangular field at center with scattered blossoms and diamonds with 4-loop interlace, with wide rectangular frame with elaborate scroll and palmette design; scroll and palmette border.
Credit Line 
Gift of Miss Lucille de Luze Foley
Object Number 
1941.720
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.