Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Bedcover |
Common Name |
counterpane |
Catalog Number |
1935.2 |
Maker |
LaFon, Maria Upshaw |
Date |
ca. 1800 |
Material(s) |
Cotton |
Dimensions |
H-91 W-74 inches |
Description |
This white on white counterpane is hand-woven cotton with a white cotton backing. It has a candlewick design of a grape vine border with wheat, leaves, flowers and large floral design in the center. There is a sheaf of flowers at the corners and at the border. The design is embroidered, satin stitched, and has french knots. The quilting is extremely small and intricate. There is a one inch border on the top with a border of satin stitch between it and the rest of the design. There is a two inch border on the other end. The counterpane appears to have been cut down on the sides, which feature a binding, as well as the top edge. |
Notes |
This handwoven and embroidered counterpane was made by Mrs. Maria Upshaw Lafon, wife of Nicholas Lafon. It was made by Maria Upshaw before her marriage to Nicholas Lafon in 1801. Nicholas was a Revolutionary War soldier who brought his wife to Frankfort, Kentucky. They lived in a house on Washington St. in Frankfort and then moved to Woodford Co. In 1835, after the death of Nicholas in 1831, Maria bought a home in Montrose Park in Frankfort. When she died, around 1851 the house was inherited by her daughter and then later by her granddaughter Laetitia whose portrait is in the KHS collection (1939.24 [dup 1]). The Lafon family originally came to America from France around 1600. Nicholas and Maria were cousins. White on white works were traditionally made as an example of a girl's needlework ability. Quilting weaving, and embroidery were not only necessary skills but were considered polite social skills appropriate to young ladies of good families. See library or special collections for two volume research on the Lafon and Ashmore families conducted by Frankfort native Faye Johnson and donated in 2006. |
Collection |
Laetitia LaFon Nutt Collection |
People |
Lafon, Maria Upshaw |
Subjects |
Textile art Textiles Bedspreads Domestic life Women domestics |
Search Terms |
Coverlet Frankfort (Ky.) Franklin County (Ky.) sewing Quilt Quilt patterns Quilting Quilts |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |