Coverlet 1836

This Coverlet was woven in 1836 by Harry Tyler in Henderson, New York, probably using a Jacquard loom. The imagery of this textile is both striking and symbolic. Zoomorphic figures, stars, and floral motifs, are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The lion in the lower left corner is a motif adapted from British heraldry. The coverlet also bears the name of Mary Fuller, presumably its owner. The industrial production of textiles, which was expanded by the use of the Jacquard loom, helped to create a consumer culture in the United States. This also transformed the nature of artisanal work, as weavers who once produced unique, handmade textiles were now competing with mass-produced goods. Coverlets like this one offer us a glimpse into the economic and social lives of rural Americans in the early 19th century. To understand this object fully, one would need to investigate genealogical records to learn about the Fullers, as well as historical business directories to understand the organization of textile production in New York.