Name/Title
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #18Entry/Object ID
2024.1.18Description
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #18
Transcription notes:
Overshot Coverlet c. 1850
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night, Burnhams. ROM #284
Unidentified weaver
South Hastings County
“Freemason’s Coat of Arms” variation
The coverlet in this case is a good example of the great variety of weaving from
Hastings County. It is woven with black and a rust brown wool weft on a natural cotton
warp. Colour variations are frequently seen in one or more of the weaver(s) who worked
in the south end of Hastings County in the Belleville area. The patterned draft is another
variation of “Freemason’s Coat of Arms”.
This example has a very interesting extended fringe at the bottom with a long break in
the weft before continuing another narrow weft section. It may have been a request of
the person who commissioned the coverlet in order to highlight the bottom when placed
on a bed without a footboard. If it had been used on a bed where it was tuck in on a
daily basis, it would show more wear over time. I have not often seen a similar approach
so it is unlikely it was a common finish by the weaver.
The example in the ROM #284 (KMWON) was probably the work of the same weaver
since the use of rust red is a common link as is the draft. The example here has very
attractive side panels that are woven with a variation of the pattern from the table. It also
has a nearly invisible centre seam – another tribute to the weaver’s expertise.
Condition: Excellent – very little indication of use. It could actually be of an earlier date –
1840-50.
Source: Auction from Belleville, Sullivan Auctions? @2008
Dimensions: 91 ½” (232 cm) including fringe x 59 ½” (151 cm) w.
It is very long including the fringe and suggest a special request for a large early bed –
client request?Collection
Dennis Mills CollectionCataloged By
Rob ChildsMade/Created
Artist
unidentified weaverTime Period
C. 1850, could be as early as 1840Place
* Untyped Place
South Hastings County, OntarioLocation
CanadaWoven Textile Details
Notes
“Freemason’s Coat of Arms” variationLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CoverletNomenclature Primary Object Term
BedcoverNomenclature Class
BeddingNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsDimensions
Width
151 cmLength
232 cmDimension Notes
It is very long including the fringe and suggest a special request for a large early bed –
client request?Location
Location
Shelf
Rolled StorageRoom
Rolled Storage RoomBuilding
M.V.T.M.Moved By
Piper PattersonDate
February 19, 2026Location
Room
N.R.H. GalleryBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
ExhibitMoved By
Sadie BadourDate
October 19, 2025Location
* Untyped Location
Temporary Artifact Storage RoomDate
November 20, 2024Create Date
November 20, 2024Update Date
May 13, 2026
