White cotton bedspread. Fringe on three sides. Worked in candlewicking, eight-pointed star in bottom two corners. Design of swagged garlands in layered rows around piece, squarish shape overall. In center, large presidential eagle with outspread wings, s
Cotton bedspread. White on white quilting, square with fringed edging on three sides. Motifs of sunflowers, strawberries and grape vines. Continuous serpentine foliate vine around border. Signed in ink at bottom left corner: 'Mary E Lane; signed in cross-stitch, HRL at top right corner with additional note in ink: "for MS Kennedy 1899."
Mary E. Lane No 2 written in ink in bottom left corner. HRL cross-stitched with "for MS Kennedy 1899'" written in ink at top right corner.
Length (cm)
254
Length (ft)
8.3333333333
Length (in)
100
Width (in)
100
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-09
Condition Notes
Some staining.
Object ID
W.1992.015.001
Notes
Since the quilting on this bedspread is too sophisticated for a young girl, it is probable that Jane Buchanan Lane, Mary and Harriet's mother, was the person who made the bedspread. The signatures in ink and cross stitch inform us that sisters, Mary E. and Harriet R. Lane owned the coverlet at different times in their lives. In or before 1899, Harriet added the message that the textile was to be next owned by her maternal cousin, May Selden Kennedy.
Quilt, Bars w/ Nine Patch Variation. Centerfield has 7 bars 10.5-11.5" wide; 4 have 9 Patch design, on point, and 3 have unpieced chintz. Chintz has aqua background with baskets of yellow and red, and flowers & leaves of teal, white, red, and yellow. Outer border, 10.5" wide, is royal blue and white with rows of blue bells and ferns.
Hand quilted with white thread using a grid pattern. Bound by joining back and front together at edge with running stitch. White coarse cotton back is 3 panels.
All cotton quilt of large blocks, each with white ground and floral applique done with "broderie Perse" technique. Wreath designs alternate with clustered floral sprays. Blocks have sashing and border using a green floral print in a Maryland Stairstep design. Wide outer border of white ground is filled with same floral applique technique, but arranged in an undulating line. A final narrow outer border uses the same green Maryland Stairstep design. White cotton backing is brought forward and hand stitched to make binding.
Has a wide range of hand quilting done with white thread in center blocks: wreaths, various flowers, potted plants, leaves, lattice, parallel diagonals and a grid. Outer white border is filled with a pattern of tiny fans.
Tradition states quilt was started in 1795 and took two generations to finish, circa 1830.
Provenance
File notes "Presented by Mr. Harry Hostetter for Mrs. A.K. Hostetter" (Ida L. Kegerreis Hostetter)
Areas of bad fading,especially along border, a variety of stains including large liquid stains, soiling, white paint drips, and various holes and deteriorated fabric. Appliqued chintz in some center blocks is badly deteriorated with strong losses, especially 3 of the blocks and at one end.