1835 - 1845 Quaker Trousseau Pieced Quilt

Description:

An intriguing note came with this framed medallion quilt when it was donated: “The Quaker Quilt. Phil. ca 1840 made for wedding of bride of early Philadelphia Quaker Abolitionist of pieces from the gowns of her trousseau.” Unfortunately there is no indication of the quilt maker or ownership.

The focus of the 41-inch central square, “Star of Bethlehem,” is set off by a 5-inch octagonal border. Additional pieced and plain borders frame this variation of a medallion-style quilt. The beige, tan, brown, rust, and light grey silks and satins utilized for the pattern would be typical of the Quaker esthetic and period. The quilt is lined with roller printed cottons and filled with wool. It is quilted with a variety of geometric patterns (grid, diagonal, chevron, and parallel lines), feathered and flowering vines in the borders, and a spray of flowers in the corner squares. This quilt is a precisely designed example of Quaker quilts in the mid-19th century.

Date Made: 1835-1845

Maker: unknown

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Subject: QuiltingQuakers

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Textiles, Cultures & Communities, Family & Social Life, Textiles, Domestic Furnishings, Quilts

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Greenwood

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: TE.E388880Accession Number: 182022Catalog Number: E388880

Object Name: quilt

Physical Description: fabric, silk, satin, cotton, wool (overall material)thread, cotton (overall material)filling, wool (overall material)Measurements: overall: 107 in x 121 in; 272 cm x 307 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-c7cd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_556285

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