Centennial Exposition coverlet; Jacquard; tied-Beiderwand; 1876; Pennsylvania

This American Centennial, Jacquard, tied-Beiderwand coverlet was woven for and sold at the Centennial International Exposition in 1876; a souvenir for visitors. The Centennial Expo was the first official World’s Fair. The coverlet was woven using cotton and wool yarns and features Memorial Hall, the building used to house the art gallery space for the expo, in the center field. The Beaux-Arts building is labeled below, surrounded by ivy, and flanked by a pair of Great Seal eagles. The building still stands in Philadelphia today and was renovated in 2010. Above the hall is the woven inscription, "Centennial.” The dates 1776-1876 are woven into either side of Memorial Hall. There is a floral border along all four sides that depicts floral/foliate and anthemion motifs. These coverlets were produced industrially, likely in the Philadelphia area. There were made as affordable souvenirs and the lower quality is reflected in the thin and loosely spun red wool yarns and the significant loss to the upper edge. The coverlet measures 77.5 inches by 75.5 inches and was almost certainly woven on a Jacquard power loom.

Currently not on view