Variation of New York Beauty

Textile

The Virginia Quilt Museum

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

2000.003.001

Description

This appliquéd and pieced quilt was made using cotton fabrics at a size of 100" x 82". The nine full blocks and three half blocks are pieced in a New York beauty pattern, measuring 19 1/2" x 20". A sashing 5 3/4" wide is appliquéd vine with a bud and two leaves on each. The sashing corner block is a pieced sunflower pattern. The border is the sashing vine and in one corner a small hand with initials "EDA" are in quilting stitches. Colors used are two shades of green, a tan, and gold on white background, that is now an off-white. Back is a sheer off white fabric that is brought to the front as the edging. Quilting is of two feathered wreaths in each block, four sunflowers and curved lines used as filler. Points of pieced work is outlined and curved lines. Border has echo lines while sashing is cross hatching with quilting in appliqué. The quilting is nicely executed.

Context

Elizabeth Jane Davis Armstrong made this quilt circa 1865 in Highland County, Virginia. Other names for the design are Great Divide or Rocky Mountain. In 1994, this quilt was featured on the cover of Lady's Circle Patchwork Quilts.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2000.003

Source or Donor

Diane Messick

Made/Created

Artist

Elizabeth Jane Davis Armstrong

Date made

circa 1865

Place

* Untyped Place

Highland County, Virginia

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Location

Boarder

Transcription

"EDA"

Material/Technique

Embroidered

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall Quilt Dimensions

Width

82 in

Length

100 in

Dimension Description

Individual Block Dimensions

Width

19-1/2 in

Length

20 in

Dimension Notes

9 Blocks total

Material

Cotton

Color

Green, Tan, Gold

Condition

Notes

Some staining; color fadings

Overall Condition

Excellent

Notes

Usual browning; brown spots on back with water spots