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Coverlet
1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Ann West, the creator of this needlework masterpiece, may have owned a millinery and dressmaking shop in Chippenham, Wiltshire. To make the coverlet, she used brightly coloured woollen material from coats and uniforms, a type of cloth made in the West Country.
The design shows Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden, together with 64 brightly coloured woollen panels showing other vivid scenes from Bible stories, and lively depictions of everyday characters and occupations. Captions are embroidered over the appliqué pictures, adding humorous and personal touches. Each panel acts as a window onto early nineteenth century life, and they include a depiction of a double wedding, and some with titles given by the embroiderer such as 'Poor Sailor', and a 'Negro servant and Master'.
The design shows Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden, together with 64 brightly coloured woollen panels showing other vivid scenes from Bible stories, and lively depictions of everyday characters and occupations. Captions are embroidered over the appliqué pictures, adding humorous and personal touches. Each panel acts as a window onto early nineteenth century life, and they include a depiction of a double wedding, and some with titles given by the embroiderer such as 'Poor Sailor', and a 'Negro servant and Master'.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Wool appliqué and patchwork, with embroidery |
| Brief description | Ann West applique and patchwork coverlet, 1820, English |
| Physical description | Coverlet composed of panels of wool appliqué and patchwork, with embroidery. Designed with central panel of Adam naming the animals in the garden of Eden, surrounded by 64 square vignettes showing scenes from everyday life. The coverlet bears a signature 'Ann West's work', and the date '1820'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Ann West's work / 1820' (Embroidered) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the support of the Contributing and Life Members of the Friends of the V&A |
| Object history | NB The term ‘negro’ was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context. |
| Historical context | As the educational programme of Victorian England established itself, with its emphasis on social improvement, quilts moved from the home to the public sphere. Some of the most inventive examples of 19th-century patchwork were produced for exhibition and display, often with a didactic aim. The pieces were designed to show off individual skill - such as difficult inlay patchwork - but also to promote Victorian values of perseverance and hard work. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Ann West, the creator of this needlework masterpiece, may have owned a millinery and dressmaking shop in Chippenham, Wiltshire. To make the coverlet, she used brightly coloured woollen material from coats and uniforms, a type of cloth made in the West Country. The design shows Adam naming the animals in the Garden of Eden, together with 64 brightly coloured woollen panels showing other vivid scenes from Bible stories, and lively depictions of everyday characters and occupations. Captions are embroidered over the appliqué pictures, adding humorous and personal touches. Each panel acts as a window onto early nineteenth century life, and they include a depiction of a double wedding, and some with titles given by the embroiderer such as 'Poor Sailor', and a 'Negro servant and Master'. |
| Bibliographic reference | Sue Prichard (ed.), Quilts, 1700-2010 : hidden histories, untold stories, London: V&A, 2010
35
Jenny Lister, 'Remember Me: Ann West's coverlet', in Sue Prichard (ed.), Quilts 1700-2010 (London: V&A, 2010) pp.87-91
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.23-2007 |
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| Record created | April 19, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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