Name/Title
QuiltEntry/Object ID
1969.11.1Description
Silk and velvet crazy quilt composed of 14" squares. At least half of the squares on the top are velvet. Embroidered decorations include a teacup and saucer, leaves, flowers, birds, and fruits. There are two sets of embroidered initials on silk ribbons: "F E S" and "A A C." Also the embroidered signature "C. A. Sylvester." Narrow velvet border in various colors with decorative embroidery. Backed with blue silk fabric with white polka dots.Context
Alice Davidson, the donor, was born in 1887 and was too young to have made this quilt. Her mother Cynthia Dow Davidson was more likely involved in its construction. She was born in 1857 and in 1880 was living in Salem, MA with her older sister Eva Sylvester, a dressmaker. One of the signatories on the quilt had the last name Sylvester and there are at least one set of initials that end in S. The quilt may have been made around 1880 when Cynthia was living with her sister. Cynthia married her husband Anthony Wellesley Davidson in 1881.
