1846 baltimore album quilt

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BALTIMORE ALBUM QUILT

Unknown Quilt Maker(s)

Probably made by the four who signed the quilt

Baltimore, Maryland

Dated: "1846"

100 x 101 inches

Cottons
Published:
"GRAND ENDEAVORS: Arizona Quilts and Their Makers"

The REAL Thing ~ Near-Perfect Condition!

A truly superb example of that very rare bird known as a
“Baltimore Album Quilt.”

In general, “Album” quilts are composed of blocks, each different from the others.
Think of photo albums or autograph albums to get the idea.

The blocks can all be made by one maker, by a few, or by many.
As long as each block is distinct, the quilt is categorized as an album quilt.

For about ten years, between 1846 and 1855,
a group of (primarily) Methodist women made very special album quilts,
with certain distinguishing characteristics:

This spectacular American textile is dated “1846” in two places,
and is in NEAR-PERFECT Condition.

The fabrics are strong and sturdy, there is no wear.
No fades nor stains.

Flat and lightweight. Professionally laundered:
Clean and fresh,
retaining its original brilliant color!

We have never seen one, in or out of a Museum, in better condition!

The quilt features twenty-five finely hand-appliqued blocks, framed by a
curving vine-and-bud appliqued border
which makes lovely, graceful turns at every corner.

The center block, with its eagle, flag and shield, serves as the grand focus of the quilt.
Its imagery, as well as the vivid color, command the eye’s immediate attention.

The four blocks flanking the corners of the Eagle block
are also “High Style” Baltimore: complex, multicolored appliqued images of
latticed baskets, fruit and flower-filled cornucopia.

Two of the blocks showcase stuffed flowers, each with some wool embroidery.
One of these is signed “M. Murray 1846.”

The designer(s) placed identical "Strawberry" applique blocks in each corner.

The overall arrangement of all the blocks and border
are visually pleasing, with a
balance and symmetry quite subtly achieved.

The Hand Quilting is masterful and dense ... truly exceptional

Most Baltimore Album Quilts are quite simply quilted...

But here the surface is densely, densely covered in fine, even stitches
measuring 11 to 12 tiny stitches per inch (counting one side only).

We do not know the maker(s) of the quilt.

The names of four people appear in either ink or cross-stitch,
and oh, what a masterful needlewomen these were!

"Sarah Culley 1846" – ink
"M. Murray 1846" – cross-stitch
“E. Evans” – ink
“MAH” – cross-stitch

A VERY rare opportunity to own a VERY rare
part of American Textile History.

SOLD

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