Signed 1808 Lancaster County, PA Door Panel
Patterned Homespun, Homewoven, Handsewn
This is the start of listings from the photo of the stack of patterned Pennsylvania homespun towels and tablecloths I've added at the end. Although not quite as glamorous (to some) as the colored plaids and checked homespun textiles, they have their place in Pennsylvania textile history as well. Either natural or bleached, the patterns are quite wonderful - some ever so subtle, while others pop from the moment we lay our eyes on them.
The pattern in this one is the the diamond pattern.
Dated 1808 and signed "ER", this is one of the earliest of such door panels or towels of this type of patterned textile in my collection. While it has condition issues which, in reality, are really not that bad and mainly from storage, its position as an historical textile document is not refutable.
Measuring 17 inches wide selvage to selvage and 55 inches long, it still retains its original had woven tape loop hangers. Condition is very good with no holes, rips or tears but it does have some storage aging in the lower right hand corner. That area measures roughly 7 by 8 inches. There is also an area of lighter staining along the one edge. I've never tried soaking the towel to see if the stain would lighten as I thought it was fine for me. I've owned this a long time and neither the color nor condition hotsell has changed. See photos as they are part of the description.
It's a lovely and simple textile, found at an auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Product code: Early 19thC Pennsylvania hotsell Linen Towel