Description:
Wholecloth, blue and white, resist-printed cotton and flax blend quilt with an elaborate, asymmetrical, repeating pattern of stylized flower pots, floral sprays, blue leaves, and patterned circles on a white ground arranged in vertical strips, and cotton patches; a knife edge; a two-piece, red, cotton (mostly) and flax blend backing; and cotton (probably) batting. While not a documented French print, this late 18th century resist design may be related to others from the area of Rouen, a major center of resist-printing. The cotton may be Indian, as indicated by the relatively wide width of 37-37.5" (no center seam). This quilt's French origin is also suggested by the springyness and large amount of batting (probably cotton). The resist-printed cotton facing is probably circa 1800, and the quilting done in the early 19th century based on the quilting pattern, especially the gothic-like arches of the outer border, and the diamond center. The indigo-resist pattern (known in the 18th century as paste work) was made by applying wax, starch, or (later) a chemical paste in the desired pattern to white fabric. When the fabric was dipped into the indigo bath, the paste "resisted" the dye, leaving the "waxed" fabric white. Then the wax was reapplied within each design to make multiple shades of blue; when the cloth dipped again, those areas not covered by the wax became an even deeper blue. The backing is a bright Turkey red, which is madder with something else added; turkey red appears in large amounts in America after the American Revolution. The quilting is not well done and has very widely-spaced stitches.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.001 |
