Whitework Quilt
QuiltmakerPossibly quilted by a member of the
Sisson family
(American)
QuiltmakerPossibly quilted by a member of the
Stark family
(American)
Date1820-1840
MediumMachine-woven and hand-woven white and undyed cotton, hand-stitched machine-spun cotton thread, woven cotton tape
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (approximate height x width): 90 x 90in. (228.6 x 228.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Gerald and Rebecca Sisson
Object number2004.77.0
DescriptionWhitework quilt consisting of a white cotton top and backing that have been hand-stitched together in an elaborate quilted pattern in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style. The design elements in the pattern have been filled with stuffing and cording, a technique known as trapunto. The quilted pattern includes of five rows of five quilted designs, alternating between a large flower, a cornucopia with flowers, a bunch of grapes, or feathers. These are in a field of evenly spaced, raised 7/8-inch circles, over a background of closely-spaced, quilted zig-zag lines. A border on each side of the quilt consists of a curved vine with leaves emerging from a row of raised circles at the edge.
The top and bottom of the quilt each consist of three panels of cotton that are joined at a seam. The plain-woven white cotton backing is coarse. The cotton thread is probably machine-spun. The edges are finished with white woven cotton tape.
Condition: The top has significant brown discoloration, with less than ten areas of dark brown spots; the browning may be the result of a prior cleaning.
NotesHistorical Note: According to the donors, this quilt was made either by a member of the Sisson family or the Stark family of North Plain, Old Lyme, Connecticut. The top and bottom of the quilt each consist of three panels of cotton that are joined at a seam. The plain-woven white cotton backing is coarse. The cotton thread is probably machine-spun. The edges are finished with white woven cotton tape.
Condition: The top has significant brown discoloration, with less than ten areas of dark brown spots; the browning may be the result of a prior cleaning.
Object Note: The pattern is the Fiddlehead pattern, found in the Encyclopedia of Designs for Quiliting by Phyllis Miller.
Status
Not on view
