Seat Cover

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Seat Cover
Datec. 1740–1780
Probable placeNorwich, Connecticut, United States
MediumWool, silk, cotton, and linen
DimensionsOverall (without backing): 15 1/4 × 19 3/4 in. (38.7 × 50.2 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.69.138.3
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThis embroidered seat cover features a floral bouquet bursting out of a diminutive blue and white vase evocative of Chinese porcelain. This is an example of crewelwork, a kind of surface embroidery stitched with wool. Similar seat covers were produced in England in the early 18th century, but this example was worked by a woman in Connecticut with the initials M.M.L., probably a member the prominent Leffingwell family. American crewelwork can be distinguished from English examples in several ways, including the backing material. Americans typically worked their compositions on linen, whereas the English used a coarser fabric called fustian.

Provenance[John Kenneth Byard (1905–1960), Silvermine, Norwalk, Connecticut]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, September 18, 1953; given to MFAH, 1969.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
Ink stamp on linen: MML

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Shakhrisyabz Suzani
c. 1800
Cotton; embroidered with silk thread
2016.83
Memorial Embroidered Picture
Davis Family
dated 1807, worked 1820–1826
Silk, ink, paper, and watercolor
B.70.53
Wholecloth Quilt
c. 1760–1840
Wool
B.76.70
Wholecloth Quilt
c. 1760–1840
Wool and linen
B.76.71
Pocketbook
1773
Wool and linen
B.69.133
Memorial Embroidered Picture
Almira Earle
c. 1815–1820
Silk taffeta, silk and silk chenille threads, and watercolor
B.70.52
Framed Medallion Piecework Quilt
c. 1790–1820
Cotton, linen, and wool
B.79.229
Wholecloth Quilt
c. 1790–1820
Wool and cotton
B.79.233
Pocketbook
c. 1770–1800
Wool and linen
B.69.155
Pocketbook
c. 1750–1800
Wool, linen, silk, and buckram
B.69.211
Framed Panel from Bed Hangings
Daniel Marot
c. 1690
Linen and wool
73.29
Purse
1910–1919
Linen, silk, and plastic
96.1792