February 1, 2021
If you don’t receive this newsletter on the 1st, blame it on the snow! It’s lovely—and a great excuse to shelter at home even more than usual. 😊
In recognition of his birthday this month, our highlighted product features George Washington. Shown below is a 64” square tablecloth with portraits of Washington in each corner, using the likeness from a painting by Gilbert Stuart. The center of the tablecloth shows shield-breasted eagles, with the remaining space on the tablecloth consisting of scenes of Native Americans and early settlers. It is possible that this is a Centennial piece (1876), as there was a resurgence of interest in Washington around that time. Given the mirror images on the tablecloth, this was made on a Jacquard loom, a device such as the one shown below that reads a series of punch cards to determine the design being made on the loom to which it is attached. This use of punch cards to change the weave was considered an important conceptual step in the history of computing. If interested in learning more, recommend looking up “Jacquard machine” on Wikipedia.
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While we’re referring you to websites, you may want to check out the new tab at the top of our website that shows Upholstery Examples (http://irongateantiques.com/upholstery-examples-2/). Posted there are a number of “before” and “after” photos, including a pair of a Lincoln rocker. Although we don’t have one of those for sale at the moment, we do have a “Wow!” chair if you are looking for a special rocker.
Hope to see you this month! Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, we’ll be closed, but plan to be open on President’s Day from 10 until 6.
Lynne & Bob McCann