Coverlet c. 1700

silk, textile

pattern heavy

natural stone pattern

naturalistic pattern

silk

textile

geometric pattern

abstract pattern

organic pattern

repetition of pattern

vertical pattern

pattern repetition

layered pattern

This 18th-century embroidered coverlet, created by an anonymous artist, is a fine example of textile art from the period. It features a central medallion design surrounded by a border of intricate floral and paisley motifs, all executed in a rich palette of gold and cream. The overall effect is one of delicate beauty and refinement. The coverlet is a testament to the skill and artistry of its unknown maker, and it serves as a reminder of the important role that textiles played in the lives of people in the 18th century.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Early homes consisted of a single large room in which all household activities took place. The first bedrooms were little more than a small closet where the lord of the 'manor' could go to escape the hubbub of domestic life and to conduct business in private. As landholders became more prosperous houses grew larger, and the number and size of bedrooms increased accordingly. In the homes of nobility and the upper classes throughout Europe, the bedroom was more than a sleeping chamber; it was also a place to entertain visitors. Quite often a woman might receive her friends in her room, presiding over the gathering from her bed, while the ladies sat nearby sipping tea or working on their embroidery. This lavishly embroidered quilt would have been part of a 'receiving set' used on such an occasion, providing evidence of the family's wealth and prestige.