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2022.609.8, Quilt
Quilt, Appliqué Framed Center Medallion
2022.609.8, Quilt

Quilt, Appliqué Framed Center Medallion

Dateca. 1845
Maker Anna Catharine Hummel Markey Garnhart (1773-1860)
OriginAmerica, Maryland, Frederick
MediumPlain cotton, block and cylinder printed glazed cottons, cotton batting, cotton quilting stitches
DimensionsOH: 97 5/8" x OW: 104 3/4"
Credit LineGift of David and Linda Davidson
Object number2022.609.8
DescriptionThis is a large, almost square appliquéd quilt in a framed center medallion format that features reverse appliqué and cutout chintz floral baskets, floral swags/vines, pieced borders, and reverse applique leaves. The center medallion is offset towards the top and measures 50 inches across. It is surrounded by additional wreaths, baskets, and floral swags. The center unit is surrounded by a triple border of reverse appliquéd leaves, a 2 ½-inch sawtooth border of red and cream, and lastly a 6 1/4-inch border of blue and black glazed chintz. The predominant colors are green, white, red, blue, black, yellow, and purple. There are added embellishments (tendrils) in stem and running stitches. It is quilted in running stitches 8-10 per inch in undulating feathers with a background fill of one-inch crosshatch, outline quilting of some motifs, and ½ inch chevrons in outer border. The backing is brought to the front to form a 1/8-inch edge finish. The backing consists of 4 panels of white cotton (3 at 28 ½” and 1 at 19 ½’).
Label TextFramed center medallion formats, like this one, were a popular design for appliquéd quilts in the 1840s. Catharine Garnhart's appliquéd quilt, however, is unusual in her extensive use of reverse appliqué (sometimes called inlaid) for most of her floral sprays and all of her leaf vine border. Reverse appliqué is a rare and complicated process of cutting away and sewing down the ground cloth to reveal a pattern of design in the cloth beneath.

Catharine Garnhart of Frederick, Maryland, was the daughter of German immigrants. She created quilts in her later life for her eleven grandchildren. At least eight large quilts and three smaller crib-size quilts survive. Catharine made this quilt for her granddaughter, either Rebecca Bentz Markey Winebrenner (1841-1904) or Susan Catharine Markey Rohrback (1843-1927).
ProvenanceThis quilt was created by Anna Catharine Hummel Markey Garnhart (known as Catharine Garnhart) for her granddaughter, either Rebecca Bentz Markey Winebrenner (1841-1904) or Susan Catharine Markey Rohrback (1843-1927) , and was passed down through the Trail family. From Rebecca or Susan, the quilt went to Mrs. Grace Winebrenner Trail, and then to Mrs. Florence Trail Davidson, and then to David Davidson, the donor.

History of Quilt Maker:
Anna Catharine Hummel Markey Garnhart (4/23/1773-1860) of Frederick, Maryland was the eldest child of German immigrants, John Hummel (d. 1781) and Christiana Catharine Grundler Hummel. Her father was a prosperous and respected farmer. Catharine married David John Markey (d. 1820), a wheelwright, in 1796, and they had three children: Frederick, David John Philip, and Christiana Catharine (called Ann Catharine) who died young. Widowed in 1820, Catharine married second Henry Garnhart (d. 1828), an older widower, who may have provided her the lifestyle that gave her the leisure time and money to create quilts for her grandchildren.