As Teri mentioned last week, we scheduled one last road trip before I (Kara) head to Germany. Our primary goal, aside from visiting a few wineries and quilt shops, was to see Debby Cooney's exhibit, "Two Golden Ages of Appliqué: 1840-1870 and 1920-1940," at the Virginia Quilt Museum. The exhibit did not disappoint! Unfortunately, the time frame for the exhibit is over, but if you missed it, then this post is for you.
Debby Cooney is a quilt historian who has researched and collected appliqué quilts and has graciously shared her collection, along with quilts from a few other collectors, with the museum. The art of appliqué has experienced a recent re-birth, and the quilts from Debby's collection tell the story of appliqué as an art form from the past. Many of us who are passionate about appliqué have been inspired by these quilts and many others.
We tried to take as many pictures as possible, and while the lighting was somewhat dimmed for the sake of the quilts, I hope you will be as inspired by these appliquéd beauties from the past as we were. Many thanks to Debby for permitting us to share her collection with you! (Please note, per the museum's website: Permission to copy any of the quilt designs or patterns seen on exhibit must be obtained by the original designer or copyright owner.)
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| One of the sights that greeted us as we stepped into the exhibit rooms |
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| Wholecloth Chintz Quilt ca. 1830s 61" x 83" |
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| Palampore Panel Quilt ca. 1830s 70" x 91" Provenance: York County, Pennsylvania |
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| Detail: Palampore Panel Quilt |
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| Detail: Jane Weakley Leche Quilt |
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| Jane Weakley Leche Quilt ca. 1825 108" x 109" Provenance: Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Framed Star Quilt ca. 1820s 60" x 60" Provenance: Probably Frederick or Washington County, Maryland |
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| Reproduction Framed Eagle Quilt ca. 2006 32" x 40.5" Provenance: Bobbi Finley |
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| Detail: Reproduction Framed Eagle Quilt |
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| Calico and Chintz Block ca. 1830s-1840s Provenance: Unknown Collection of Polly Mello |
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| Framed Center Diamond ca. 1835-1850 Provenance: members of the Holmes family, Rockbridge County, Virginia |
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| Pieced and Appliquéd Quilt ca. 1840s Provenance: Frederick County, Maryland |
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| Leaf Detail |
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| Most of these blocks have blue corner squares, but a few don't. Did they run out of fabric, or was it planned? |
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| Chintz Cradle Quilt ca. 1830s 34" x 42" Provenance: probably Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Detail: Chintz Cradle Quilt Reverse appliquéd leaves |
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| Mathematical Star Quilt ca. 1850s 94" x 94" Provenance: Eastern Shore of Maryland |
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| Detail: Mathematical Star Quilt |
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| Detail: Mathematical Star Quilt Apparently, these are typical colors found in Maryland. |
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| Appliqué Nine-Block Quilt ca. 1850s 84" x 84" Provenance: Unknown, possibly Pennsylvania |
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| Detail: Appliqué Nine-Block Quilt |
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| Baltimore Appliqué Quilt ca. 1850s 96" x 97" Provenance: members of the Hayden Family, Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Detail: Baltimore Album Quilt |
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| Detail: Baltimore Album Quilt |
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| Appliqué Cradle Quilt ca. 1850s 43" x 45" Provenance: possibly Lancaster County, Pennsylvania From the collection of Polly Mello |
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| Appliqué Pillowcase ca. 1850s 18" x 30" Provenance: possibly Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
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| Appliqué Cradle Quilt ca. 1850s 39" x 40" Provenance: probably Washington County, Maryland |
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| Four-Block Appliqué Quilt ca. 1850s 96" x 97" Provenance: probably Pennsylvania |
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| Quilting detail |
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| Such vivid colors after all these years! |
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| Appliqué Cradle Quilt ca. 1850s 43" x 44" Provenance: Chambersburg area, Franklin County, Pennsylvania The name of this pattern is an "Apple Pie Ridge Star." |
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| Six-Block Appliqué Quilt ca. 1850 53" x 81" Provenance: Collected in Lancaster, Pennsylvania From the collection of Pat and Arlan Christ |
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| The green feather-like motif is used here to represent the Pennsylvania-German symbol for good luck. |
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| All the dots give the quilt a certain charm. |
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| Appliqué Album Quilt ca. 1860s 73" x 88" Provenance: Unknown |
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| Appliqué Four-block Quilt ca. 1860s 83" x 90" Provenance: Southeastern Pennsylvania |
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| This Princess Feather pattern would give some good practice at corners and inner curves! |
All of the previous quilts fall into the first Golden Age of Appliqué, from 1840-1870. These next quilts come from the second, 1920-1940. It is interesting to see the change in fabrics used for these quilts.
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| Nine-block Appliqué Quilt ca. 1920s Provenance: Franklin County, Pennsylvania |
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| This flowering cactus is done in bright Pennsylvania "Dutch" colors. |
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| Four-block Appliqué Quilt ca. 1930s 88" x 95" Provenance: Southeastern Pennsylvania |
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| I just love the polka-dot fabric for the center flower! |
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| Orchid Wreath Appliqué Quilt ca. 1930s 88" x 88" Provenance: probably Emporia, Kansas Original pattern by Rose Kretsinger |
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| The orange and yellow butterflies add a beautiful pop of color. |
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| Nine-block Appliqué Quilt ca. 1933 86" x 86" Provenance: Ettie Brunhaus Schulz Oak Park, Illinois Original pattern by Marie D. Webster |
Appliqué is my first love, and this exhibit exceeded my expectations in so many ways. It was so inspiring to view all these quilts in person, and studying them up close was a treat. Are you inspired by quilts from the past? If so, please let us know; as we'd love to hear about them! If you would like to read about our other museum adventures, you can click on the links below. Next week, we will share another fabulous exhibit that was in the VQM last fall. Hope you'll join us!
By still my heart! These are fantastic. I am so glad you got to make such a special trip as your swan song before departing for Germany. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Wendy! Oh to have a collection such as this...
DeleteWhat a feast for the eyes! I will never get to see anything like this exhibit, so thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Annette! We are glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThank you so very much for these pictures! Wow such glorious examples of applique. I love applique and these quilts like these are what I want to make!! Love the crib quilt especially!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Janet! The crib quilts were stunning!
DeleteThank you for these beautiful photos of old quilts very interesting and Polly to share his beautiful collection!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! We were thankful to be able to share both Debby's and Polly's exhibits with you.
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ReplyDeleteThanks!
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