Quilt, Block-Printed Sprig Design

Dateca. 1785

Artist/Maker Michel, Meyer & Perrin

OriginEurope, France, Aix-en-Provence

MediumBlock printed in red on natural cotton; linen quilting threads; cotton batting.

DimensionsOH: 98"; OW: 93 1/4" Selvage width of fabric about 29", as quilted.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958-369

DescriptionRectangular whole cloth bed quilt made of coarse plain-woven cotton block printed in red on white ground (now yellowed) in a small-scale design of meandering vines bearing simple leaves and rosette flowers running in a generally warp-wise direction. The vines are tightly arranged, with the voids filled in with stippling or dots. The same printed textile forms both front and back of the quilt. Quilted with linen running stitches in a double-line diamond-lattice pattern, approximately 3 to 4 stitches per inch. Thick cotton batting. Edges are turned in toward each other and stitched ("knife edge"). One side of the quilt retains the manufacturer's stamp within a rectangular frame near the edge.

Note: lengthwise pieced textile panels measure approximately as follows (all measurements are as quilted; unquilted textile widths would be greater):
Side 1: 8 3/4", 28 1/4", 28 3/4", and 27 1/2"
Side 2 (with inscription): 27", 28 1/4", 29 1/2", and 8 1/2"
Label TextThe marking of French printed textiles was mandated by law. In 1759, a decree required that the manufacturer's name should be noted at the beginning and end of each textile length, along with the name and place of manufacture. A subsequent decree issued in November of 1785 specified that the factory marks should be within a white framework or strip three fingers wide, and include the initial letter of their first name, surname in full, place of residence, and the words to indicate whether the dye was fast ("bon tient") or fugitive. This textile follows the specifications of the 1785 decree. See Bibliography for source.
Markings(Block printed): "MANUF.[superscript r or d above the dot?] EN BON TEINT DE MICHEL/ MEYER & PERRIN D'AIX 1785".
ProvenancePurchased from British dealers Adritti & Mayorcas.