Historic American Antique Quilts
Historic American Quilts
Tip: Of course not all white quilts or coverlets were made for weddings, however many were. The first wedding quilt I found was made in a New York county and brought to Platteville, Wisconsin. It was a trapunto and was signed 1820 with the last name of the groom. I wish I still had that quilt, but I don't. However it has given me an interest in other all white quilts and coverlets in the last two centuries.
Note of terminology: A coverlet or counterpane is composed of a back and a front; a quilt has three layers and is usually sewn over all layers in a pattern of what we call quilting. Either of these two types can have a three-dimensional effect depending upon how it has been structured.
739 Hand Woven Coverlet, perhaps 1820-30, 79.5x79.5, purchased in Vermont, origin New England or England, This is a coverlet, woven and stuffed through the weft on the top side with pieces of roving about 2-3inches long (3rd picture high power). The top has a large rectangular design sparsely filled with leaves and florals, but it is the border where the motifs are the most prominent and lovely as in the fourth picture. They are mostly complex leaves and florals and are themselves bordered with a chain of spheroids, below which is an outer border of diaper diamonds. On the top and bottom are bands of herring bone weaving. The back is relatively smooth as seen in the next picture.The two edges on bottom and top are sewn together with double blanket stitches. The selvedges are 5/8 inches of solid continuation of the main stitch, which is some sort of twill and can be seen in these folded pictures. The next to last picture is back lit. The three dimensional stuffing does not come through to the back to any extent. At the bottom, in the herring bone center, a number "36" is stuffed and next to it is an upside down stuffed "36".
Historical references suggest such numbers had importance in signifying the width of the hand woven coverlets, although in this case, I see no correspondance.There is a slight rip in one corner and two corners have dark marks equidistant, suggesting at some point there might have been labels or hanging hooks. This is a very unusual hand woven piece, probably from the early 19th century. An investigator of such pieces has a great deal to work with here and can enjoy a great historical beautiful find as well. $1600
441 Quilted in the Loom coverlet, "ca1840", 98x94, from the estate of Gertrude Newbold Brick (from the mincemeat business family), New Jersey, sold as a "wedding quilt". A photo of this was sent by the agent to an appraiser who said that it definitely was a trapunto wedding quilt. This is not the case. This is a Marseille cloth coverlet woven to look like a trapunto quilt. The first looms to be able to do this were invented in the 18th century. This coverlet may have been made in England or here in the U.S. but it was made with a loom using draw boys above the loom to keep track of the yarns. It does look very much like trapunto but careful inspection will show the warp and weft threads. Comparison to modern-day manufactured Marseille quilts is a simple task. Excellent condition and very rare. $2200
430 Wholecloth, Reversible Quilt, 1920-1940, 69x87, Galesburg, Illinois, Mrs. W.J. Achepohl signed on attached tape. This is another beautifully quilted piece by Mrs. Achepohl. It is ivory on one side in cotton sateen., and the reverse is seafoam. The quilting is in medallion style at 8st/in with double feathers surrounding the center of 3/4-inch squares . 1.5-inch diamonds are quilted outside and to the edges . Never used, so it is in excellent condition, except for a slight fade line down the center where the quilt has been folded. $1050.
639 c Marseille Style Handloomed Coverlet, 1830-50, Perhaps from England, Provenance American Hurrah, 76x80. Knotted fringe on all sides. This is a complex pattern and appears on both front and back. There is a large square in the center surrounded by coils. On the interior of the large square is a central smaller square and several even smaller squares, all containing woven design. On the outside of the central square, or the border, are more complicated designs. Some subtle leafs are in the design patterns but they are not predominant. This piece is pristine and is somewhat heavy in spite of its lacy appearance. I am sure you would be buying a piece of history. $700
740 Yo-Yo counterpane, from Vermont, 80x80, made after 1935.White yoyos are not common, and this is not a common piece. It is beautiful and will look beautiful against just about any thing you want to lay it over. The fabric seems to be percale. I have not much to say about yoyos. Some people love them and some hate them. I'm a hater, but this one I would put in my house any day. $575.