John Klein coverlet

Description: Dark blue and white, double jacquard coverlet with self fringe approx. 2.25 on two sides and bottom. Top is hemmed. Two trade blocks reading J. Klein / Hamilton Co. / Indiana / 1859. Woven below is Sophia E. Gwinn Aged 16. Floral baskets border on three sides. Side borders have two rows of stars below the baskets. Field has floral medallions and eight pointed stars.
John Klein began his weaving career in Shelby County, Indiana, along with his father and three brothers. After his father’s death, John worked for Hamilton County weavers Henry Adolf and Martin Forrer. By 1857, Klein moved to Noblesville and set up shop with his brother, Andrew, on the corner of Conner and Sixth Streets in an old woolen mill. During the Civil War, Klein briefly mustered in the 109th Indiana to help repel Morgan’s Raiders. After the war, demand for hand woven coverlets declined, and he sold sewing machines. Klein’s blue and white double Jacquard coverlet is unusual because both the recipient’s name and age are included. The coverlet was most likely made as a wedding gift for Sophia Gwinn.
Created By: Klein, John
Source: http://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/CPQuilts/id/111
Collection: Conner Prairie Museum Textile Collection
Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright: No Copyright – United States
Subjects: Textile fabrics -- Indiana -- History
Coverlets

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