A handsome antique American coverlet woven with the date 1848 in each corner. Rendered in deep navy-black and natural cream, the bold floral pattern creates strong visual contrast and a graphic quality that feels remarkably current despite its age.
Substantial in weight and scale, the coverlet displays beautifully draped over a bed, folded across a bench, or hung as textile art. The reversible weave offers two distinct presentations, allowing the darker or lighter ground to be featured depending on the setting. The intricate patterning combines stylized florals, scrolling forms, and geometric motifs arranged within decorative borders. Its sophisticated palette and craftsmanship make it equally at home in traditional interiors, collected country houses, and modern organic spaces seeking warmth and texture.
COLLECTOR'S NOTE The woven date of 1848 appearing in all four corners is one of the most compelling features of this coverlet. While many surviving American coverlets can only be assigned to a general period, dated examples provide a direct link to a specific moment in the history of American textile production. By the mid-19th century, Jacquard-woven coverlets were among the most valued textiles in the home, often commissioned to mark important milestones such as marriages, the establishment of a household, or the furnishing of a newly built home. The inclusion of a woven date served not only as decoration but also as a lasting record of the textile's creation. Today, dated coverlets offer collectors a tangible connection to the craftsmanship and domestic life of antebellum America. The survival of this example, still bearing its woven 1848 date in all four corners more than 175 years later, adds an extra layer of historical significance beyond its decorative appeal.
DIMENSIONS: 82.5" L x 72" W (approximately 85" including fringe). Originally intended for an antique full-size bed and today equally suited for use as a decorative coverlet, bench throw, or wall-hung textile.
CONDITION
Good antique condition consistent with age and use. Constructed in two joined panels with original center seam. Scattered wear, minor thread losses, fringe wear, and small areas of edge loss and separation visible, particularly near the borders and corners. Displays attractively and retains strong color contrast and overall visual impact. Please review photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
