Painted Floor Cloths History

It is known that at least three of our presidents have had floorcloths by the inventories kept on their estates.

Painted floor cloths history.

Nathan smith the founder of the above firm first produced block printed cloths in 1754. Floorcloths went by many names. Painted printed stamped or common carpet oil floor cloth wax cloth fancy pattern cloth masonic flooring summer floor mat drugget crumb cloths and various combinations of the above. Originally made from recycled ships sails they were used to cover dirt or wooden floors in early american homes.

Patterns including diamonds squares and cubes were hand painted or stenciled frequently by the lady of the house. The first written reference to a painted floor cloth is a 1722 british receipt for a floor oyled cloth. Floor cloths are considered one of the earliest forms of floor covering. During john wickham s lifetime 1763 1839 a floorcloth was a term that referred to a traditional rug or fitted carpet substitute made from treated or untreated wool linen or cotton.

Referred to by most today as floorcloths only remnants of these cloths remain in historical collections including colonial williamsburg museums. The factory of smith and baber of south kensington london produced painted floor canvases prior to 1754. Floor cloths were a traditional covering used in many homes in the early 18th century. Design village floorcloths has been recognized as one of america s top floorcloth makers by early american life magazine a national magazine focusing on architecture decorative arts period style and social history from colonial times through the mid 19th century.

Vintage vinyl floor cloths by spicher company are a great reasonably priced alternative to traditional cottage rugs for family rooms kitchens baths offices and high traffic areas. The painted canvas rugs also known as floorcloths or oylcloth were in wide use during most of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Floorcloths have also been called painted canvas oil cloths and floor canvases. George washington s was purchased from roberts and company in 1796 at.

A brief history of floorcloths. Floorcloths in early american life directory. The floorcloth was initially viewed as an affordable alternative to the grander woven carpets of the wealthy or as an imitation of marble tile and inlaid parquet but came to be valued. They are very durable and have an easy to clean non slip vinyl surface.

Floor cloths originated in france in the 1400s and were introduced to the american colonies in the early 1700s. Floorcloths went by numerous names including painted printed stamped or common carpet oil floor cloth wax cloth fancy pattern cloth and various combinations of the above. Floorcloths are a part of our american heritage. The earliest colonial floorcloths were hand painted with geometric designs or fancy patterns on canvas material.

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