Stunning pair of golden silk bedspreads from the private cottage of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwill, who personally used these bedspreads during their nine-day diplomatic trip to India in March of 1962; the cottage was furnished by the Indian government and designed specifically for them. The two bedspreads approximately measure 82.5″ in width and 120″ in length, with their skirts hanging nearly 19″ and the bed area measuring 44″ inches across, dimensions which best fit these bedspreads to a large twin-styled mattress. In overall fine condition, with slight wear, and some perspiration staining to underside.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the granddaughter of the original recipient, which reads, in part: “My grandfather, William ‘Bill’ G. Wilcox was a senior officer in the USIS (United States Information Service) beginning in 1961…Bill’s first assignment was in India in 1961. He and my grandmother, Gladys were stationed in India when Jacqueline Kennedy and her sister, Lee Radziwill travelled there for a diplomatic visit in the summer of 1962. It was Bill who write all the brochures and documentation of their visit. The Indian government provided the sisters with a ‘cottage’ beautifully decorated with traditional Indian furnishings and accessories. When Mrs. Kennedy was leaving India, she told the Indian government that she wanted all furnishings and décor to be made available to all senior USIS officers serving in India. As such, upon her departure, the officers and wives were granted permission to tour the cottage and select items they would like. My grandmother, Gladys, chose the silk bedspreads. They have been a prized and well taken care of possession in the family ever since.”
