Coverlet 1858

This woven coverlet was created by Sarah LaTourette in 1858. Immediately striking is the stark contrast between the black and white, the flat, graphic quality of the floral motifs and geometric patterns, and the overall symmetry and repetition. The coverlet presents itself as a series of repeating octagonal medallions, each containing a stylized floral design, bordered by bands of floral and geometric patterns. At first glance, the piece is a visually pleasing example of mid-19th-century textile art. However, we might also consider it as a structured system of signs. The floral motifs, for example, while decorative, also signify nature, domesticity, and perhaps even idealized notions of femininity and virtue. The geometric patterns, in contrast, might represent order, rationality, and the increasing industrialization of the era. The date "1858," prominently woven into the design, anchors the piece in a specific historical context, inviting us to consider the social, economic, and technological forces that shaped its creation. Ultimately, this coverlet functions as a complex interplay of aesthetics, representation, and historical context.