Washington commemorative textile fragment

c. 1851

Measurements

Frame: 11-5/8 in x 9-5/8 in x ¾ in; sight 9-3/4 in x 7-5/8 in

Materials

Printed cotton

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Hugh R. and Bayard Sharp

Accession Number

1977.595

Condition Notes

The printed textile is a fragment of larger yardage.  The colors remain intact.

Provenance

Although not confirmed in writing, this textile portrait of George Washington likely belonged to H. Rodney Sharp, father of the donors.

Comments

The printed image on this piece of cotton is a portion of a larger composition, probably made for in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.  It comes from printed yardage with a selvedge width of 26-1/2 inches and a 16-inch design repeat.  For a full image of the textile as well as technical details, see Linda Eaton, Printed Textiles:  British and American Cottons and Linens, 1700-1850 (Winterthur Museum 2014), 338-339.

The textile fragment, from yardage likely made for window curtains or bed hangings, shows an oval half-portrait of George Washington holding a sword in his right hand.  Crossed American flags decorate the top of the oval, and ribbons bearing “E PLURIBUS / UNUM” hang from the flags.  A foliate surround of large fruits and foliage, typical of mid-19th century design, borders the oval.  The textile is colored in browns and blues.  The portrait fragment is framed in a simple wood frame painted in a flat black.