Name/Title
Greene Family AlbumEntry/Object ID
1995.002.001Description
The quilt contains sixteen blocks set with red sashing 2'' wide. There is a double border surrounding the applique blocks. The first one is a white 2 1/2'' border and the second is a red 2'' border. The binding is a true, applied, binding with rounded corners. It is about 1/4'' wide and uses a white fabric, which has faded over time.
The quilt is signed in the seventh block: "Cinnie C. Pearce / June 15, 1882." There are multiple motifs present, such as variations of flowers and wreaths. The quilt was likely made with new/purchased fabric. All the reds are plain dyes. There are prints used in only the first and the second blocks.
Blocks from the upper right across: 1. Wreath of a green print with 4 roses and 8 buds of a red print that is now pink. Flowers have an inlay of yellow checked fabric. 2. Wreath of green print, red sawtooth center and 18 green and red spoon-handle forms outside the wreath. 3. Wreath in what now is tan with 4 red roses and 4 buds. 4. Crossed green plaindyed laurels with 3 petaled brown flowers. 5. What is now tan wreath with leaves, center is of hearts. 6. Red and tan vase filled with red roses and buds. Inlay for handles. 7. Tan with yellow print inlay vase filled with spike leaves, perhaps Christmas cactus. On 3 leaves is couched black ribbon thread. 8. Red and green wreath. 9. Tan and red wreath. 10. Green plaid vase filled with red tulips, roses, and buds. 11. Red vase similar to #6 filled with tulips, leaves are tan. 12. Four fold design with red center, tan stems and leaves with red flowers. 13. Crossed quatrefoil with red center, green stems and leaves with red leaves at end. 14. Wreath and leaves of green with red grape clusters and embroidered tendrils. 15. Wreath similar to #2 with red star center and outer designs are leaf shapes in red and green plaindye. 16. Similar to #1 but in green and red. All reds are plaindyes. Prints were used only in #1 and #2.
Quilting consists of outline of applique, clam shells, stylized flowers, oak leaves, whirligigs, quarter and half feather wreaths, double lined hearts, interlocking rings and cross-hatching. All of the quilting is completed using single, cotton, white thread. There was more than 1 quilter since the stiches are uneven, but still measure 8-10 stiches per inch.
The backing is composed of 3 vertical pieces of white cotton that measure, 35'', 35'', and 15 1/2''.Context
This quilt was an heirloom quilt. While the maker is unknown, the donor found the quilt in a trunk that had belonged to her late husband, whose family comes from Maryland. Cinnie Pearce was not related to the Greene Family, as she was an unmarried schoolteacher. However, she was also from Maryland, a couple towns over from where the Greene family came from. It is possible that the donor's husband's grandmother could have quilted some of this quilt with Cinnie Pearce, or purchased it from Cinnie Pearce before passing it down in her family.Collection
Permanent CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1995.002Source or Donor
Mary Ware GreeneMade/Created
Date made
circa 1882Notes
One block is dated June 15, 1882Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Date, SignatureLocation
Signed in the 7th block (2nd row, 3rd from left)Transcription
"Cinnie C. Pearce June 15, 1882"Material/Technique
Inked by HandDimensions
Dimension Description
Overall Quilt DimensionsWidth
86-1/2 inLength
85 inDimension Description
Individual Block DimensionsWidth
17 inLength
17 inDimension Notes
4 x 4 = total of 16 blocksMaterials
Material
CottonMaterial Notes
Thin cotton batting contains debris
Fabric includes solids and printsColor
Yellow, Red, Green, TanCondition
Overall Condition
WornOverall Condition
GoodNotes
Fabric deterioration in green vase and the red sashing above this block. Fugitive dyes of the dark green leaves brown ring on background fabric and small amount showing on the backing. A few tears on the back.
Contains sleeve and tagProvenance
Notes
Was found in the trunk of the donor's late husband
