Interiors

cotton and natural red wool. Inscribed Excelsior J Cunningham weaver New Hartford . Circa 1840-1845. New York, New Hartford Oneida County. 95 × 71 1/4 inches.

"James Cunningham lived on Oxford Road, then South Street, in New Hartford, Oneida County, New York, and worked with his partner, Samuel Butterfield. This business continued until 1835 when Samuel Butterfield decided to leave. Cunningham continued on his own. Cunningham's love of history is reflected in his designs. The well-known "Washington on horseback" pattern appeared about 1835 and was produced over a long period of time. His earlier coverlets show four large circular medallions which were nearly square. Later he added a row of smaller motifs at the top to serve as the bolster cover.
About 1840, the "Excelsior" design, adapted from the New York State Emblem, was used in the corners in place of "Washington on Horseback." Coverlets showing this emblem are rarer and are as a rule not dated." Mildred Davison and Christa C. Mayer-Thurman, Coverlets: A Handbook on the Collection of Woven Coverlets in The Art Institute of Chicago, exh. cat. (Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 1973), 100.