Quilt, Pieced Centennial
Dateca. 1875
OriginAmerica
MediumPlain and printed cottons
DimensionsOH: 87 1/4 in. x OW: 94 in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2018.609.10
DescriptionThis is a rectangular quilt of plain and printed cottons consisting of nine panels of "1876" cotton fabric alternating with a pieced pattern of Ohio Stars and triangles. The "1876" fabric is periwinkle and white, and consists of bald eagles, bicorn hats, eighteenth-century weapons, the numbers "1876 and 1776," and a repeated inscription written within sets of two vertical bands. The inscription of the top bands read, "IN GOD WE TRUST. 1776. 1876." The inscription of the bottom bands read, "WELCOME CENTENNIAL U.S. OF A." The Ohio Stars and triangles are grounded on an off-white ground striped with pairs of thin black stripes. The Ohio Stars are made of burnt sienna and yellow fabrics. The triangles are made of a variety of light blue, subtlety printed cottons. The back of the quilt consists of ten panels ot printed fabric. There are alternating stripes of cheddar orange fabric and a fabric of red, white, and dark brown zig zags and lines. There is a small strip on one side, consisting of brown fabric with rectangle pairs of white, red, and dark brown stripes. There are five red, brown, and white strips and four cheddar orange strips. Quilts made up of panels like this are often called "strippy" quilts.
The front of the quilt is taken to the backside and turned under and stitched. The simple quilting pattern is in 5-6 running stitches per inch. There is no evidence of a batting suggesting it is very thin or doesn't exist.
Label TextThis quilt, featuring a pattern of Ohio Stars and triangles, can be placed in time and space through one fabric alone. The quilt's light blue stripes, featuring bald eagles, bicorn hats, eighteenth-century weapons, the numbers 1876 and 1776, and patriotic inscriptions, is a centennial print celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United States. The fabric was perhaps produced alongside the Centennial Exhibition that took place in Philadelphia in 1876.
InscribedThe centennial print has text written within its sets of double vertical bands. The inscription of the top bands read, "IN GOD WE TRUST. 1776. 1876." and the inscription of the bottom bands read, "WELCOME CENTENNIAL U.S. OF A." This text is repeated for the length of the bands.
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceEx collection: Pat Nickols; no other known provenance.
ca. 1880
ca. 1880
ca. 1875
ca. 1900
ca. 1863
1785-1820
ca. 1845