Embroidered coverlet

This coverlet is embroidered in patterns of flowers and scrolls through two layers of linen. The overall pattern shows central floral vines and sprigs, with a meandering floral vine border. The embroidery contains long stitches and cross stitches as well as knots and eyelet stitches binding off the edges of openings through the two layers. The upper layer of fine linen has been cut away around the embroidered motifs, leaving the exposed under layer of coarser linen. The finer upper layer is still present within the embroidered areas. The coverlet is made up of three narrow panels of linen that have been seamed together.

Although this piece came to the Museum with a family history of being owned in Kentucky, it is so stylistically sophisticated and finely embroidered that it seems likely to have been made in England or Ireland, and perhaps brought or sent over to the Kentucky relatives of the donors. Because it features linked initials and the date 1795 at the center, it may have been a bridal coverlet.