Quilt Top, Block-Printed Cotton
Dateca. 1840
Artist/Maker
James Betts
(1811 - 1875)
MediumCotton
DimensionsL: 92" x W: 92";
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1970-194
DescriptionThis is an unquilted square bed cover made of blockprinted cotton chintzes pieced and appliqued in a large-scale diamond centered with a bouquet of flowers. The cottons are printed in floral patterns with pin-dotted ground in reds, greens (now faded to blues), blues, brown, and black on white ground that was originally glazed. The large central floral bouquet is composed of elements cut from printed cotton chintz, applied with fine stitching in a technique known as "chintz applique." The bouquet is surrounded by diagonal bands of the floral chintz. Identified flowers include: rose, lily, carnation, morning glory, cactus, tulip, raspberry, phlox, sweet William, holly hock, fuchsia, poppy, geranium, and campanula. The lining is coarse natural tabby cotton bound on all sides with 7/8" white tape.Label TextThis Charleston quilt top or counterpane features a giant bouquet of flowers almost 5 feet across. The family attributed the bedcover to a man who was a dry goods merchant in Charleston by the name of James Betts. Although we cannot corroborate the story, his family says that he himself stitched the printed cottons to the ground fabric when he was confined to a chair. Given that the textiles appear to date to about the time his wife died in 1841 at a young age, it is possible she may have done some or all of the appliqué. Maybe she left the pieces unassembed and Mr. Betts took his hand to a needle in his later years. Whoever did it, every bit of the work is beautifully stitched by hand.
ProvenanceDescended in the family of the seller.
