Framed Medallion

Textile

-

The Virginia Quilt Museum

Name/Title

Framed Medallion

Entry/Object ID

1998.004.003

Description

A turkey red Ohio Star is the center of the medallion with sawtooth, squares on point, flying geese, variable star and zig-zag borders. There are 11 different blocks with several borders. Likely made of new/scrap fabric. There is a thin, cotton batting. It is all hand quilted and it is very even, about 8 stitches per inch. The quilting consists mainly of straight lines. The plain white squares have a floral pattern. It is quilted with single white cotton thread. The lining, or backing, of the quilt is composed of 3 vertical strips that measure, 29 1/2'', 29 1/2'', and 27''. It is a solid cotton fabric. The binding is brought back to front and is about 1/8'' wide with squared corners.

Context

A quilter of unknown identity made this quilt circa 1840. It was bought at an auction in West Virginia in 1940s. Prominent quilter Lucy Catherine Bowie said that this quilt was "designed by a true artist and executed by a master craftsman (I wish I could have known her)".

Collection

Permanent Collection

Acquisition

Accession

1998.004

Source or Donor

Lucy Catherine Bowie

Notes

(Three thimbles are in the file folder -engraved - should be accessioned)

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown Maker(s)

Date made

circa 1840

Notes

Purchased at auction sale in West VA; was property of Evelyn Guinn

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Initials

Transcription

"E LAN"

Material/Technique

Inked by Hand

Notes

possibly a signature from something else

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall Quilt Dimensions

Width

85-1/2 in

Length

99-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

The center is an eight pointed star (10-10 1/4'' square) followed by the first border (1/2'' wide). Then, there are 1/2 square triangles (each 1 3/4'') followed by the second border (1 3/4'' wide). Then, there is a second set of blocks, these are squares on point (2 1/4''), followed by a third set of blocks, rectangles composed of 2 triangles and a rhombus (1 1/2'' x 3 1/2''). The rectangles are followed by a flying geese pattern (2'' x 4''), squares set on point (2 3/4''), 1/2 square triangles again (3-3 1/2''), and eight pointed stars on point (4'' squares). The flying geese pattern then repeats (4 1/2'' x 2 1/4''), followed by pinwheels on point (5'') and finished with another border of 1/2 square triangles (1 1/2'') The zig-zag border is 4 1/2'' x 6 1/2''.

Materials

Material

Cotton, Chintz, Gingham

Material Notes

Mixed: solids (white), prints, and plaids Thin, cotton batting

Colors

Color

Red, Turkey Red, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Brown, White, Pink

Color Notes

Fugitive purple.

Condition

Overall Condition

Worn

Notes

There are fugitive purples. A lot of fabric deterioration all over.

Overall Condition

Very Good

Notes

Deterioration of fabrics and some spotting; browning on back