Coverlet 1834

This Coverlet was made by David Daniel Haring in the 19th century, we don't know exactly when. Haring was a weaver, active in a period when textile production was undergoing industrialization, changing the nature of work and domestic life. The coverlet, woven with wool and cotton, uses a double-cloth technique to create a reversible design. Note the personalized inscriptions, bearing the names "Sarah Ann Outwater" and "Anna Sarah Outwater" along with the date "Jan 14, 1834". These suggest the coverlet was commissioned for these women, marking a significant moment in their lives, perhaps a marriage or entry into adulthood. The motifs, like stars, eagles, roosters, and flowers, blend patriotic and folk art traditions. Each element carries symbolic weight, reflecting the values and aspirations of the community it served. While seemingly decorative, textiles like this served as a form of personal and communal expression, weaving together histories, identities, and memories.