Textile fragment (Tablecloth)

Description

This linen fragment was probably once part of a larger tablecloth, which consisted of two pieces joined down a center seam, but only this half remains. It has a repeating, spot woven motif of a four-leaved shape, sometimes called a “Blooming Leaf,” “Double Muscadine,” or “Double Bowknot” pattern. This tablecloth fragment comes from Helen D. Young’s collection of handwoven textiles made in the northeastern United States before 1900. Young (1894-1983) was a prominent weaver, teacher, author, and collector of coverlets. Her collection, now at Winterthur (2017.0019.051.001 - .038), contains a diverse variety of weave structures, reflecting Young’s interest in structure and regional variation, as well as her understanding of textiles as an art form. This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017. The Winterthur Library also received a significant amount of material from ATHM, including the Laura M. Allen weaving draft collection, which was previously acquired by Marguerite Porter Davison and then Helen D. Young.