Images(2)

Quilt, Pieced Doll

Dateca. 1880

OriginAmerica

MediumPlain and printed cottons

DimensionsOH: 18 7/8" x OW: 20 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Joy Shott

Object number2017.609.14

DescriptionThis is a quilt for a doll-sized for a tall-post bedstead, indicated by its "T" shape. It consists of plain and printed cottons in red, rust, pink, brown, white, green, yellow, and blue. The cotton patterns include stripes, small florals, geometrics, Greek key, and stars. The quilt consists of 177 square blocks, most of which are made up of two triangles. There is a floral chintz fabric trim that is folded one inch. It has no batting and a backing of plain white cotton, quilted in a large "X" at six stitches per inch. There is a narrow black casing at the top of the back for hanging the quilt.
Label TextDoll quilts were made by both mothers and daughters. Often these quilts were used as teaching tools, allowing girls to learn the art of quilt making while also preparing them for their future roles as mothers. Quilts made by children would usually be patchwork as opposed to appliqué. Like many toys, these quilts were small versions of their full-size counterparts and often mimicked the styles that were popular during the time they were made. The T-shape of this quilt suggests that it was made for a tall-post bedstead.
InscribedNone
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceOther than donor, there is no known provenance.