Quilted Tablecover 1821 - 1825

Jane Simonton Chapman made this Quilted Tablecover sometime in the 19th century. During this time, women's artistic expression was often confined to domestic crafts. Chapman's tablecover, with its intricate quilting, offers a glimpse into the lives and creative outlets of women within the confines of their homes. The detailed depiction of a basket overflowing with fruit and surrounded by a leafy border can be seen as a representation of abundance, domesticity, and perhaps even a subtle assertion of women's ability to cultivate beauty and sustenance within their prescribed roles. This piece transforms utilitarian cloth into a personal, expressive medium. It reflects not just skill, but a lived experience—a quiet rebellion, if you will—against the limited roles afforded to women, stitched into every delicate curve and padded form. The tablecover invites us to consider the labor, artistry, and stories woven into the fabric of everyday life.