Images(3)

Quilt, Pieced Feathered Star

Date1840-1855

Artist/Maker Harriett & Sarah Robinson

OriginAmerica, Indiana (probably)

MediumPlain and printed cottons

DimensionsOW: 79 1/2"; OH: 83 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Misses Louise & Violet Barbour.

Object number1965-223

DescriptionThis is an almost-square pieced quilt with red and white predominating. The design consists of 25 diamonds with saw-tooth edges enclosing 8-pointed "feathered" or saw-tooth-edged stars constructed of small-scale printed cottons on red grounds. The printed designs consist of small squares formed by yellow parallel lines; white ovals and those of undetermined color (textile is missing from disintegration); and floral sprigs. The diamonds alternate with all-white pieces quilted in abstracted swirling floral designs. All of the quilting is done in white cotton running stitches, about ten per inch. The white cotton padding or batting is thin, making the quilt very lightweight. The outer edges are bound with straight-grain white cotton, creating a quarter-inch edging. The backing is plain-woven white cotton.
Label TextThis quilt features pieced squares in a jagged star pattern usually known as "feathered star." The red stars alternate with subtle quilted floral motifs embellishing and filling the white areas between stars.

The quilt is one of two said to have been made by Sarah (Mrs. Thomas) and Harriet Robinson, who were mother and daughter. The women were born in Maryland and the family subsequently moved to Indiana by 1840. For the companion quilt, see 1965-224.
ProvenanceThe donors stated that this quilt, as well as quilt # 1965-224, were made by Harriet and Sarah Robinson whose grandfather was John Robinson, speaker of the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg. Genealogical research indicates that Harriet Robinson, later Mrs. Samuel Barbour (1810-1901) was actually the daughter of Sarah (Mrs. Thomas) Robinson (1772-1859). Both women were born in Maryland and by 1840 were living in Indiana. Thomas and Sarah's son John Larne Robinson was elected to the Thirtieth, Thirty-First, and Thirty-Second Congresses in the years 1847-1853. The quilt descended to two unmarried granddaughters, Blanche Louise Barbour (1882-1971) and Anna Violet Barbour (1884-1968). For more information, see the object file for quilt 1965-224, which is published on pages 160-161 of Baumgarten and Ivey, Four Centuries of Quilts.