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1800 - 1825 Elizabeth C. Nunn's "Liberty" Quilted Counterpane

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Nunn, Elizabeth C.
Description
After its adoption in 1782, the Great Seal of the United States became a popular design motif. An adaptation of the eagle design centers the top of this hand-woven cotton quilt that was block-printed in the early 19th century for a Mrs. Farris of Kentucky. Mrs. Farris’s daughter, Elizabeth C. Nunn, lined and interlined the top with cotton and stitched the layers together in a diamond quilting pattern.
Blocks for printing such bedcovers were of crudely carved wood, with individual motifs that could be arranged in a variety of designs. The color on this example, probably originally printed with Prussian blue, has faded from washings.
Elizabeth C. born in 1783 in Virginia, married William Nunn (1783-1822) in March 1805. Elizabeth died in Kentucky in 1871.
Location
Currently not on view
1800-1825
ID Number
TE.T15294
catalog number
T15294
accession number
292230
Object Name
quilt
Physical Description
fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, cotton, linen (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 83 in x 69 in; 211 cm x 176 cm
place made
United States: Kentucky
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Textiles
Quilts
Textiles
Domestic Furnishings
National Museum of American History
Subject
Quilting
Record ID
nmah_556490
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-bb71-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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