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1966-512, Quilt
Quilt, Piecing Reversing to Early Plate Print
1966-512, Quilt

Quilt, Piecing Reversing to Early Plate Print

Date1840-1860 (quilt)
OriginAmerica or England (quilt) and England (textile)
MediumCottons
DimensionsOH: 102 X OW: 85" Plate-printed fabric w: 34 1/2"; Repeat: 33"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1966-512
DescriptionThis is a rectangular quilt with a pieced "Irish Chain" design on one side and a faded red on off white plate-printed textile on the obverse. The plate-printed side consists of panels and smaller pieces in a design of large-scale leafy branches and jointed stems bearing flowers such as lilies and calendulas, fruits similar to peaches, clusters with melons, peacocks, and crested birds with long cleft tails. The patchwork pattern side is composed of 2 1/2" squares of late 18th c. to mid-19th c. calico prints and ginghams quilted with plain white cotton squares in a large diamond motif. The quilting pattern is one of allover double- line diamonds. The quilting is worked with 6-8 cotton running stitches per inch. The quilt is finished on all 4 sides with red and white printed calico binding. Worn and mended.
Label TextThis quilt is a good example of reusing older materials. The nineteenth-century pieced side is quilted to a backing consisting of panels and fragments of a ca. 1780 copperplate printed textile. The backing fabric was obviously considered to be out of fashion but still strong enough to serve as the back side of a new pieced quilt.
ProvenanceHerbert Schiffer Antiques, Whitford, Exton, PA, by sale to Colonial Williamsburg