Framed Center white cotton quilt has pieced work as well as appliqued cut-out images from an English block-printed cotton chintz that dates from the 1780s. This applique technique (here using colorful birds and branches) is known as "broderie perse" or Persian embroidery.
Center medallion has two birds of prey and flowering branches. Inner border is defined by sawtooth applique of chintz. Outer border continues with broderie perse applique of flowering branches and smaller exotic birds resembling peacocks with long trailing tails.
Quilting patterns: undulating feather in outside border with filled-in areas of waffle and vine-and-berry. Center has vine-and-berry with waffle. Inner border has a rope pattern.
Quilt has white cotton back and cotton batting.
Possibly Northeastern Lancaster County.
Provenance
Quilt was purchased by the Dykes in East or West Cocalico Twp.
Very good overall. Light brown liquid stains, especially in right center area. sprinking of small light brown stains overall.
Object ID
P.77.35.1
Notes
See "Quilts in America" by P. & B. Orlofsky (cover and p.225) for a c. 1803 quilt with this appliqued print. Label states this chintz print was "cut out of a 1780s English block-printed chintz of the type favored in England and France at that time and very popular in American quilts in the late 18th and early 19th centuries."
See also Weissman and Lavitt, "Labors of Love", p. 42.
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Large white cotton Framed Center quilt, with extensive applique and stuffed work. The applique technique is called "broderie perse" (of cut-out chintz elements) with fruit surrounding the center medallion. Also appliqued are two types of pieced 8-point stars, and 9-patches. Extensive stuffed & corded work executed in vines, flowers, grapes, melon-like fruit and leaves. Center medallion has stuffed initials "MG" above "1810". Main quilted designs are waffle, wedding ring, shell and parallel lines. Cotton batting and white cotton back. No binding; turned edges sewn together.
Inscriptions: "JNS" (J. Nevin Schroeder) stamped on back of top right corner and "331" written in ink on back of top left corner.
Made by Ann Margaret Gundaker, daughter of wealthy Lutheran merchant Michael (1753-1815) and Barbara Walter Gundaker, residing at S.E. corner of East King & Lime Sts., before her 1816 marriage to Robert Evans (c. 1791-1831). She had been a student at the Moravian School for Girls in Lititz (now Linden Hall) in 1805-06 where she certainly received instruction in needlework. This quilt is the earliest known dated Lancaster County quilt and has descended through five generations of Evans, Locher, and Schroeder families. Trish Herr notes this quilt illustrates the English influence on quilts made in prosperous Pa.German households.
Provenance
Descent in family from Gundaker to Evans to Locher to donor (see letter from Pat K. Conner to Mrs. Shroeder). Donor received quilt from her mother-in-law Mira Locher Schroeder.
1. Documented in Quilt Harvest #419A.
2. See G.01.51.1-.6 for other signed Gundaker textiles.
3. Pat Keller wrote 2009 article in Chester Co. H.S. book LAYERS, noting similarities in stuffed work between this quilt & a Chester Co. quilt, suggesting communication via a network of sanguinity or friendship. (See copy this file)
Generally moderate wear overall with many small yellow-brown scattered stains. Torn along top edge, 13" from left corner. Chintz appliques are deterioration with somoe losses.
Object ID
G.93.08.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Gift of Mrs. J. Nevin Schroeder in memory of Mira Loche
All cotton quilt of pieced blocks in pinwheel pattern, using early 19th c. dress fabrics. Within a wide border of yellow print -- three sides only -- is a field of blocks set on point. Pieced blocks have a pinwheel pattern composed of four solid white triangles and four red floral print triangles. Alternate blocks are a print of blue stripes alternating with stripes of brown & blue flowers with white ground. Half-blocks in large triangle form use the same striped print to surround the center field on three sides. The triangles at top are a plaid print of blue, tan and brown.
Quilting patterns are feathers in wide yellow border, waffle in striped blocks and clam shell in triangles. The bordering large triangles have repeating chevrons. An inscription in running stitch in upper right corner block is "Catharine/ Myers the rose/ is read (sic) the leaves/ green here is my/ name when I/ am dead in/ the year/ 1816."
Backing is a red foliate print on white ground. It is brought forward to create binding.
Provenance
Descent through family to Mary E. Walter Ziegler who believed it came from her mother's maternal line (Brubakers and Kempers). Mary Ziegler brought quilt to a Quilt Harvest for documentation in 1992 and considered donating to Heritage Center. In need of funds, she instead sold the family quilt in 1996 to dealer Frances Woods who then sold to Heritage Center.
Extensive research indicates descent from the Walter ancestors of Mary Ziegler's father, one of whom, Peter Walter, was married to a Kathryn Myers (although she was certainly born after the 1816 quilt date). Likely made by another Catherine Myers from the preceeding generation. (See file)
Very good for its age. Some minor wear at edges of binding. Soil visible especially on solid white fabric.
Object ID
P.96.05.1
Notes
Trish Herr notes in Quilting Traditions of Lancaster County, 2000, p. 27, that Catharine was the daughter of Henry (b. 1830) and Barbara Brenner Myers of East Donegal Twp. Catharine later married Peter Walter, also a farmer from the same neighborhood. This CANNOT BY CORRECT since this Catharine was born after the quilt was made. This Catharine Myers Walter is buried in the Cross Roads Church Cemetery.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
