King George Silk Patchwork Coverlet

Maker:

UNKNOWN

Date:

1720 - 1750

Mosaic patchwork frame coverlet based on small square blocks, with alternate frames of plain unpatched squares and squares on point within larger squares, and a central medallion of dark red velvet square on point. There is a large variety of different colours and woven designs of silks with a strong yellow colour predominating. Some of the silks have metal threads in their weave, some are woven or printed stripes, some have embroidery on (possibly cut down/recycled from another garment) and some look to be ribbons with a looped metal selvedge edge. There are two silks with printed or painted texts, dotted throughout the piece. One yellow silk has printed gold text the words ‘God’, ‘Save’, ‘King’ and ‘George’ as well as the crown symbol with the letters GR underneath. It seems most likely that this was commemorative for King George I. Another fabric with text is a white/ivory silk with words that are incomplete but the remaining letters read ‘RENDE’ AND ‘FENDER’ (possibly for part of the King's title as Defender of the Faith). and possibly ‘MAD[E]’. As well as silks there are also a few pieces of early printed chintz cotton. The Coverlet is backed with plain cotton or linen and still has the papers intact.