Wool Blanket

Woven Textile

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

Photo of blanket detail

Scan of 5"x7" photograph taken by Dennis Mills detailing the pattern of the blanket. Acquired at the time of donation.

Name/Title

Wool Blanket

Entry/Object ID

2025.17.02

Description

White wool coverlet with indigo block border design and end stitching

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Coverlet

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Bedcover

Nomenclature Class

Bedding

Nomenclature Category

Category 02: Furnishings

Location

Shelf

Rolled Storage, Rolled Storage

Room

Rolled Storage Room

Building

M.V.T.M.

Moved By

Zachary Doucette

Date

January 4, 2026

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

Transcription of Dennis Mills' handwritten notes: "Brisley Coll Unidentified Weaver - Deseronto, Hastings Co Wool Blanket With Side Borders c 1850s Twill weave construction - What a great find in excellent condition - expertly woven and centre seamed. The blanket is woven in wool (natural white) with singles for the warp and weft. Four Indigo blue herringbone side borders are of special interest. A very similar example is in the ROM Toronto and is attributed to an unknown weaver of Scottish heritage working in or near Deseronto (in the 1850s) Hastings County. The practice of weaving matching side borders without the usual top and bottom bands is a link to Scotland where this is common and the use of box beds where the blanket borders would have been more evident. Another link is the expert weaving in a twill form with the herringbone borders in dark blue. Note that the herringbone threading breaks at every point, also traditional in Scottish blankets. Burnham states "The two twists of yarn give a good handle, coupled with excellent spinning and firm weaving." (p. 111 KMWON) Overcast top and bottom edges in indigo wool Condition: Excellent - one small over stain - old. Source: Brad Smith Auctions, Napanee 29-08-21 Diane & John Brisley Auction #124 30 Cat. # 676 Dimensions: 76 1/2" (194 cm) l x 73" (185.5 cm) w. There is a second similar example in the collection purchased from Ruth McKendry in the 1970s (she bought it at an auction in the Deseronto area). Ref: Keep Me Warm One Night #139 - Burnham The Comfortable Arts #84 Burnham"

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

January 4, 2026

Updated By

[email protected]

Update Date

May 13, 2026