Images(2)

Quilt, Pieced Star of Bethlehem

Dateca. 1850

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Shippensburg area (probably)

MediumCottons

Dimensions103 ½ x 99 ¼ inches

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Brandenburg

Object number2014.609.1

DescriptionRectangular quilt with white ground. At the center is a large eight-pointed “Lone Star” pieced from roller-printed cottons in small-scale sprig and spot designs. The star is surrounded by a scattering of appliqued 5-petal rosette flowers and partial rosettes with 2 and 3 petals. A repeated swag border appliqued from green printed cotton ornaments all four sides. The running stitch quilting in white areas includes floral and leaf designs; the quilting also follows the outlines of pieced and appliqued areas. Backing of white cotton is brought to front and stitched to form an edge finish.
InscribedC. A. S. written on back corner of backing
ProvenanceLone star pattern quilt said to be made by Elizabeth Ann Kincaid Gilbreth (b. about 1835) of Carlyle/Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.