According to tradition, Zeruah Guernsey made this entire carpet, which lay for many years in her family's best parlor, from wool she sheared from her father's sheep. She spun, dyed, and wove the fabric base and then embroidered each square with chain stitch in a variety of bold naturalistic designs. She had help with only two of the squares; two Native-American medical students who were staying with her family contributed the squares marked L.F.M. and F.B. Known as the 'Caswell' carpet (although Zeruah did not marry Memri Caswell until eleven years after she completed it), this piece has always been one of the most beloved objects in the Museum's collection. The striking blue cat at the center of the lowest row even inspired the writing of a popular children's book. Other notable squares are the two that show either puppies or kittens playing on brightly striped carpeting; these engaging creatures were undoubtedly copied from popular prints of the day. The large rectangular piece at the left side of the carpet, embroidered with a basket of fruit and flowers, served as a detachable hearth rug: In the summer it was laid over the parlor's empty hearth.
Embroidered Carpet
