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For internal use only
On Display: House - Cecil Hall
Needlework coat of arms (Embroidered hatchment)
Betsy Putnam
1790-1810
Description
This coat of arms needlework picture is worked with silk and metallic threads on a cream plain-woven silk. It was worked by Betsy Putnam of Salem, Massachusetts while she was attending school in Salem or Boston between 1790 and 1810. Few Americans at this time were entitled to bear coat of arms, yet in New England it was fashionable to use them as household decoration. This coat of arms does not appear to belong to the Putnam or any other family, so it was likely that Betsy, and her sister Sally who wrought a nearly identical piece, copied it from the works of heraldic artist John Cole Sr. The inscription on Betsy's picture reads: "BY THE NAME OF PUTNAM / WROUGHT BY BETSY PUTNAM".
Category
Textiles (Needlework)
Creator/Artist/Maker
Betsy Putnam (Maker)
Place of Origin
Salem; Massachusetts; Essex; New England; United States; North America
Materials
- Silk satin
- Ink
Museum Object Number
1955.0083.003 A
Credit Line/Donor
Museum purchase
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Complete Details
Object Number
1955.0083.003 A
Object Name
Needlework coat of arms (Embroidered hatchment)
Category
Textiles (Needlework)
Creator (Role)
Betsy Putnam (Maker)
Place of Origin
Salem; Massachusetts; Essex; New England; United States; North America
Date
1790-1810
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Inscription
Location: bottom center of piece
Inscription: "WROUGHT BY BETSY PUTNAM" (embroidered silk threads)
Mark/Signature: Yes
Subject(s)
- Armorial device
Materials
- Silk satin
- Ink
Techniques
- Embroidered
- Woven (plain)
Construction Description
Hand-embroidered
Dimensions (inches)
10.12 (W) x 14.25 (L)
Dimensions (centimeters)
25.705 (W) x 36.195 (L)
Measurement Notes
Dimensions refer to area of needlework visible within frame.