Rose blanket fragment

Status

Not on view

Label Text

Rose blankets derived their name from the colorful, abstract designs that marked their corners. Only the stitch holes and a few traces of the original bright pink and olive green yarns remain on this fragment of a blanket which family tradition maintains came from Mount Vernon. It may have once covered a bed used by the Washingtons or their visitors. Descendants of Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter lovingly preserved it despite its deterioration.

Fragments W-2680/B - C and W-2155/B are believed to be from the same blanket.

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Date1775-1800

Geography Probably made - England

Medium/TechniqueWool

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 91 in. × 36 1/2 in. × 87 3/4 in. (231.14 cm × 92.71 cm × 222.89 cm) Other (Outside dimensions of rose): 11 1/4 in. (28.58 cm) Other (Inside dimensions of rose): 6 1/2 in. (16.51 cm) Other (Inside dimensions of rose): 5 1/2 in. (13.97 cm) Other (Inside dimensions of rose): 4 1/2 in. (11.43 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Walter Gibson Peter, Jr. in memory of Agnes Peter Mott, 1975

Object numberW-2680/A

DescriptionBlanket fragment of loosely woven, plain-woven, napped, cream-colored wool cloth with stitch holes and yarn fragments indicating the placement of embroidered roses or medallions at each corner; 16 tpi (warp) x 23 tpi (weft); one long edge is a selvedge, all other edges are unfinished; at the two corners nearest the selvedge, stitch holes indicate the placement of an embroidered rose design that consisted of a series of concentric circles, and at least one border of herringbone surface stitches; remnants of pink and olive green wool yarn are present near the stitch holes.

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