Overshot Coverlet
1800-1866
Scroll
Overshot Coverlet
1800-1866
Physical Qualities
Cotton or linen warp and cotton or linen weft, wool supplementary weft, 90 1/2 x 76 1/2 in. (229.9 x 194.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of James and Edith Hoyt Garrett, Baltimore
Object Number
2012.229
Overshot coverlet composed of two loom widths, each 39" wide, butted and sewn by hand with the pattern matched. The unknown pattern is created by the threading and treadling of the tan colored cotton or linen warp and the picks of the tan cotton or linen weft and navy supplementary weft. The obverse features 2 3/4" repeats across 29" of each piece with 10" of a different pattern border on three sides of the entire coverlet. The field pattern is a block weave with each block measuring 2 3/4" x 2 3/4". There are approximately 24 vertical repeats and approximately 11 horizontal repeats in each panel of the coverlet. The pattern has whole tones and half-tones. Each block consists of 4 whole tone blocks (either navy or white/tan) in center and one whole tone block (either navy or white/tan) at each corner and 2 long lozenge-shapes at each side and top and bottom. At the interstices of the blocks, a four part diamond is formed. The pattern is the same across and length of the coverlet. A 10" wide border finishes the lower three sices of the coverlet. This is composed of varying zigzags and C-shapes of navy wool on tan background with half-tones. The reverse has borders that are the same as the obverse. There are a greater number of half-tones which produces a cross-shape of long lozenges. The top and bottom edges of the coverlet are hemmed with 1/4" turned under and handstitched to the dark side (obverse). The sides are selvage edges.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift; Edie and James Garrett; inherited through the family; ex. coll. Barbara Garrett Reed (Mrs. William L. Reed), ex. coll. Robert Garrett (1875.1961) and Katharine Barker Garrett, ex. coll Mrs. Edward (Elizabeth Barbara Garrett) White
Referred to Marguerite Davison. A Handweaver's Pattern Book. (Chester, PA: John Spencer, Inc., 1944) for possible identification of pattern but was not able to find.
