Object Details
- Description
- After its adoption in 1782, the Great Seal of the United States became a popular design motif. An adaptation of the eagle design centers the top of this hand-woven cotton quilt that was block-printed in the early 19th century for a Mrs. Farris of Kentucky. Mrs. Farris’s daughter, Elizabeth C. Nunn, lined and interlined the top with cotton and stitched the layers together in a diamond quilting pattern.
- Blocks for printing such bedcovers were of crudely carved wood, with individual motifs that could be arranged in a variety of designs. The color on this example, probably originally printed with Prussian blue, has faded from washings.
- Elizabeth C. born in 1783 in Virginia, married William Nunn (1783-1822) in March 1805. Elizabeth died in Kentucky in 1871.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- Nunn, Elizabeth C.
- date made
- 1800-1825
- Physical Description
- fabric, cotton (overall material)
- thread, cotton, linen (overall material)
- filling, cotton (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 83 in x 69 in; 211 cm x 176 cm
- Object Name
- quilt
