Crazy quilt, atypical, of brilliantly colored printed silks, made by Anna Little Wagner of Schwenksville. The polychrome fabrics are predominantly green, but also strong reds and blues. Designs are mostly stylized and naturalistic floral motifs, with some stylized birds. Several prints are identical except for color variations, suggesting the maker had access to factory samples or remnants. Several prints have what appears to be an Egyptian theme, indicating a tie to the Egyptian Revival period of the 1920s.
Patch seams are decorated with red cross-stitched embroidery. Binding is a golden brown silk. Backing is a solid maroon silk.
Very good condition and stable overall, with perhaps half a dozen patches having minor fabric separation/splitting. At least two small holes of about 1/4" diameter. Some tide lines visible in three or four areas indicating liquid spills.
Provenance
Passed from maker to niece (brother William Little's daughter, Anna Marion Little Goode) to son Clarence Randolph. Late in her life, maker lived for a year or more with niece Anna Marion Little Goode and husband Clarence E. Goode, M.D. when they resided in Reading. Perhaps the quilt was passed to niece at that time. Donor recalls seeing maker's quilting frame set up in their home where she made traditional cotton quilts. Donor believes Littles and Gilberts were Mennonites, although not very active in church.
Note: Donor Clarence J. Randolph was born a Goode, but didn't like his name so changed it to Randolph.
