Coverlet c. 1820 - 1830

This coverlet was woven by John Landis, although we don’t know exactly when. It’s made of wool and cotton, and it’s a great example of the textile arts that were so important to everyday life in earlier times. What we see here is the result of a weaving tradition that dates back centuries. The coverlet represents not just individual skill, but also the transmission of knowledge through families and communities. What we might call folk art today would have been simply part of ordinary life for the people who made and used it. Woven goods provided warmth, comfort and, of course, beauty, to the home. Textiles are often overlooked in art history, but they’re a valuable resource for understanding social history, since techniques, patterns, and materials tell us a lot about the culture that produced them. Things like family records, local historical societies, and even antique shops can give us a better picture of the people and conditions that shaped this coverlet.