Name/Title
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #26Entry/Object ID
2024.1.26Description
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #26
Transcription notes:
Overshot Coverlet 1830-50
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night, Burnhams #305
Leeds Co?
Unidentified weaver
This example of an Ontario handwoven coverlet at first appears typical of a large
number of surviving blue wool and white cotton coverlets but is actually quite intricate
when given a close examination. All four sides have turned and stitched hems.
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night Burnhams 1972 #305 p. 231 shows a very similar
example in blue and white from Addison, Leeds Co. Dorothy Burnham suggests that a
variation in threading was likely accidental creating an attractive but unusual design.
The discovery of a second near identical example here without the border variation
suggests that the threading variation by this unknown weaver was actually intentional.
Source: Rob & Vi Lambert estate auction Potter – Napanee. July 21 – 22 2018. Cat
#362. $217.53 incl buyer’s [illegible] & tax. The Lamberts lived in Bowmanville area but
purchased quality items throughout eastern Canada.
Condition: Very good. It shows natural wear over time. The homespun wool has
maintained a soft finish. The centre seam is expertly matched. There may be some loss
to the top.
Dimensions: 75 ½” (191 cm l.) x 68” (173 cm) w. Although smaller than the ROM
example, it is unlikely that all borders were lost.
It is always a thrill to find an exciting and exceptional example in a weaving
classification.
Weavers frequently set up the warp on a loom to weave a pair of matched coverlets.
Although these are close they are not identical for the Leeds County weaver here.Collection
Dennis Mills CollectionCataloged By
Rob ChildsMade/Created
Artist
unidentified weaverTime Period
1830-50Place
* Untyped Place
Possibly Leeds County, OntarioLocation
CanadaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CoverletNomenclature Primary Object Term
BedcoverNomenclature Class
BeddingNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsLocation
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 27, 2024Create Date
November 27, 2024Update Date
May 13, 2026
