Quilt, Pieced Red & White Delectable Mountains

Dateca. 1900

MediumCotton

DimensionsOH: 78 3/4" x OW: 70 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Jane Steel

Object number2003.609.6

DescriptionRectangular quilt made from solid red and white cottons in a variation of "Delectable Mountains" pattern. Central square surrounded by jagged triangles or "mountains" radiating from the center and forming a series of squares. Extra bands at top and bottom create rectangular shaping. Plain white outer border; inner border of sawtooth piecing. Quilted with running stitches in parallel lines and scallops. White cotton backing. Thin batting.
Label TextDelectable Mountains Quilt; maker unknown; probably Pennsylvania or Ohio; ca. 1900; pieced cottons; 79" x 71"; 2003.609.6, gift of Mrs. Marshall Steel, Jr.

Bright red and solid white cottons create a visually stunning array of jagged "mountains" that radiate from the center. The quiltmaker varied the originally square design by adding two extra rows of mountains at the top and bottom, while a narrow inner border of small pieced triangles contains the dynamic pattern. The bedcover is hand quilted using running stitches to create parallel lines and scallops.
ProvenanceAccording to donor, "I do not know the source of the quilts, but suspect they came from my mother's side of the family, which was based in Galion, Ohio, before moving to Pittsburgh, PA." (Letter to Forrest Williamson, June 1, 2003.)
The maker of the quilt is unidentified.