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
Eagle pattern all-cotton quilt is made from a commercial kit; all designs appliqued on off-white ground. Kit was produced to celebrate the Bicentennial in 1976.
Central eagle is appliqued within pointed oval fringed with flowering branches; all within a thin 3/4" appliqued frame/inner border. Outside border filled with undulating floral vine all four sides.
Fabrics used for applique are solid red, a green print and a yellow print. Outer border is 17" wide.
Batting is mid-weight cotton. Backing is solid off-white cotton. Instead of a binding, there is a band of green print at edge.
Hand quilting follows appliques, straight lines radiate from eagle in center. Scallop borders green inner border. Diamond grid covers remaining body of quilt except for parallel lines outside border vine.
Note: Two valances (G09.3.13A-B) were made to accompany this quilt.
Provenance
Made by donor's mother Edna Spangler Keefer (3/30/1912 - 6/6/1997), while living in Hermitage (near Sharon), Mercer Co., PA.
Several stains on front, esp. 2 1/2" oval brown stain at center of left side and another lighter liquid stain about 4 1/2" dia. just below it, and finally an 11" crescent brown stain across inner green print border/frame. Additional stains on back. Blue dotted line of pattern is visible at many points.
Object ID
G.09.03.12
Place of Origin
Hermitage, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Gift of Betsy Keefer in memory of the Spangler family quilters, Heritage Center Collection
