Handwoven Coverlet 1936

This handwoven coverlet was made by Howard H. Sherman, who lived a pretty long life, from 1855 to 1995. Imagine Sherman, sitting with the wool and linen, figuring out this design. It’s not just a blanket; it’s a complex pattern of roses, flowers, and even birds woven together. I’m thinking about the texture of the thing, the deep blues, and how the white pops out. You can see these little details, the tabby and overshot threads. It is a beautiful dance between precision and intuition. It makes you wonder about Mary Hebards from Orange in 1841, maybe this was made for her? The way each element connects reminds me of how painters work, building layers, making connections, and like artists everywhere, Sherman draws on tradition, rearranging it, pushing it, making something new. It’s all about that conversation across time, isn’t it?