Textile or Quilt Stencil
Date1840-1860
OriginAmerica
MediumBrass and blued steel
DimensionsW: 2 3/4" H: 2 1/2" (7 x 6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Julie Stanton
Object number2008-20
DescriptionThis is an almost square brass and blued steel textile stencil with the names "Mrs. R. J. Oakford / Fred N. Oakford / Fannie Oakford / Charlie Oakford".Label TextIt was common by the late 1840s for the creators of quilt blocks to personalize their work with signatures, dates, place names, and other inscriptions. Stencils and stamps designed specifically for marking textiles made it easier for quilt makers to individualize blocks. This stencil was owned by a member of the Oakford family and was probably used for marking quilts and other textiles.
Markings"Mrs. R. J. Oakford / Fred N. Oakford / Fannie Oakford / Charlie Oakford"
ProvenancePurchased in 2002 from Rose Gallo Antiques and Textiles, Richmond, VA.
1844 (dated)
1841
1824-1828 (range of the entires in the album).
ca. 1850
1845, 1846, 1847
1860-1880
1793-1796