Quilt, Pieced Amish Center Square
Date1875
MediumWool warp-cotton weft mixture (top), cotton quilting threads, batting, and backing (confirmed by microscope 3/31/2015)
Dimensions85 1/2" X 82"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2015.609.4
DescriptionThis is a quilt in the “Center-square” pattern with wide blue cotton-and-wool borders on all four sides, centered with a cotton-and-wool golden brown textile. The quilting pattern, worked in brown cotton running stitches, has diamonds and feathered circles enclosing 6-pointed stars in the center field, surrounded by parallel slanting lines; and undulating “feathers”, tulips, hearts, stars, and birds in the wide outer borders. An inscription is worked into the bottom border, “GD 1875.” Separate narrow binding (cut on the straight grain) is machine stitched to finish the edges. The backing is medium brown cotton.Six to nine running stitches per inch.
Label TextAmish women began quilting about the 1860s, relatively late in the history of American quilts. When they did take up quilting on a larger scale, they seldom signed or dated their work. This example, dated 1875 and signed GD for the maker or recipient, is a rare early example from the Pennsylvania Amish community.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Trish and Don Herr.
1790-1820
1902
1850-1870
ca. 1863
1920-1935