Harry Tyler
Double-weave Coverlet

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Double-weave Coverlet
Date1843
Made inButterville, New York, United States
MediumCotton and wool, Jacquard-loom-woven
Dimensions88 × 85 in. (223.5 × 215.9 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of the Brown Family in memory of Michael K. Brown
Object numberB.2015.6
Non exposé

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

In 1843, Harry Tyler wove this coverlet in Butterville, New York, based on the lion design contained within the two corner blocks along with the border of stylized trees and picket fences. Eight versions of the lion corner block were made. Coverlets like this one were nearly always woven by professional male weavers. Employing a handloom with an attached jacquard device, this coverlet was woven in a double weave, a technique which employs two sets of warps and wefts and produces a two-layered reversible fabric.  

The son of parents of English descent, Tyler was born in Connecticut in 1801, eventually moving to Butterville, where he was established as a weaver by 1834. It is not known where he learned his trade, but he is known for his meticulous workmanship and innovative designs, and is considered one of the most important 19th-century American weavers. Over 300 surviving coverlets can be attributed to Harry Tyler or his son Elman who carried on the business after his father’s death in 1858.


ProvenanceEleanor Bardo Brown (1919–2002), Lowville, New York; given to her son Michael K. Brown (1953–2013), Houston; Estate of Michael K. Brown; inherited by Leon, Arel, and Patrick Brown, Lowville; given to MFAH, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Woven into corners: 1843
Woven along edges: Eleanor Rice

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Double-weave Coverlet
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c. 1876 or later
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1846
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1869
Cotton and wool, Jacquard-loom-woven
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Double-weave Coverlet
1831
Cotton and wool, Jacquard-loom-woven
B.76.35