1800 - 1815 Indigo Wool Whole Cloth Quilt

Description:

This example of an early 19th-century whole cloth quilt has an unusual design. Four sprays of large flowers, leaves, and clusters of berries begin in each of the corners and meet in the center of the quilt. They are framed by a wide scrolling vine with a 2 ½ -inch feathered band along the outer edge.

The fabric for this quilt was dyed blue with indigo, one of the oldest dyes used for textiles. Glazing, a process involving the use of a hot press on wool fabric, resulted in a smooth, lustrous fabric surface.

The motifs in the design are all outline quilted, 8-9 stitches/inch. The background, parallel diagonal lines quilted ¼-inch apart, further enhances the overall design. The lining is a tan and blue plaid wool/cotton fabric. There is no binding the front and lining are turned in and sewn with a running stitch.

Date Made: 1800-1815

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: World

Subject: Quilting

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Textiles, Domestic Furnishings, Textiles, Quilts

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Anthony Levy

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1981.1020.08Catalog Number: 1981.1020.08Accession Number: 1981.1020

Object Name: quilt

Physical Description: fabric, wool, cotton/wool (overall material)thread, wool, linen (overall material)filling, wool (overall material)Measurements: overall: 96 in x 91 in; 244 cm x 231 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-bad0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_556180

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.