Skip to main content

Pendleton Woolen Mills and Joseph Rawnsley

Center Point Couch Cover with Rimrock Design

1914-1919

Scroll

Center Point Couch Cover with Rimrock Design

1914-1919

Physical Qualities Wool, cotton, 105 3/4 x 64 1/2 in. (without fringe) (268.6 x 163.8 cm.) 109 1/2 x 64 1/2 in. (with fringe) (278.1 x 163.8 cm.)
Credit Line Textile Acquisition Fund
Object Number 2006.103
A long rectangular jacquard-woven woolen (cotton warps, woolen wefts) blanket with short nap intended for use as a couch cover. The overall pattern in multiple colors is classified by scholars as a "center-point" design, i.e. the pattern creates a mirror image around a center vertical axis. The top or obverse features wide monochromatic bands of dark brown ground with tan geometric designs including diamonds and arrowhead-shaped motifs that alternate with bands of multicolored "Rimrock" motifs in white, orange, red, burgundy, black and green. Approximately three of these motifs fit the width of the blanket with the outer two being incomplete. Colors are bright aniline-dyed hues. The reverse features the same designs, but with a reversal of colors. The monochromatic bands display dark motifs on a tan ground. The rimrock motifs are in brown on multicolored stripes of white, orange, red, burgundy, black, white, and green. Both sides include areas where colors are not purely that on the reverse or the front, but a mixture of both. This effect is created by the "pick and pick" weaving technique which allows two wefts of different colors to both be brought to the surface within a given area in order to create a heathery in-between shade. The long edges of the cover are unfinished (selvages). The short ends are finished with a short brown wool fringe.
Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 2006; Barry Friedman, Phoenix, Az.
Barry Friedman, Chasing Rainbows: Collecting American Indian Trade and Camp Blankets, New york: Bulfinch Press, 2002, p. 111, illustration (different pattern).

See photograph "One of the Comforts of Home," Pendleton Woolen Mills Catalog, 1910, p. 12

Inscribed: Woven label of blue satin with yellow inscription: "WARRANTED TO BE A 'PENDLETON' PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS PENDLETON, OREGON" This is the second style of label used by Pendleton Woolen Mills and was found on blankets dating between 1915-1920. (See Barry Friedman, Chasing Rainbows: American Indian Trade & Camp Blankets p. 267)

Manufacturer

Pendleton Woolen Mills

1894–2000

American, 1895-present
Meet Pendleton Woolen Mills

Designer

Joseph Rawnsley

1872–1928

English, c. 1873-1929
Meet Joseph Rawnsley

Explore the Collection Further

BY SAME ARTIST
TEXTILES
Jingdezhen kilns
Bowl with Unglazed Foliate Rim and Peony Design at Center
1100–1199
Norbert Goeneutte, Eudes, and others
Cover for the portfolio "6 pointes sèches Parisiennes par Norbert Goeneutte"
1886
C. A. König
Chair Seat or Pillow Cover with Floral Design
1833–1932
Lajvardina Ware Eight-pointed Star Design Tile with Overall Floral Design
1299–1399
Deep Covered Bowl with Carved Scroll Design
1100–1199