#6327 $3,950
Silk/velvet pictorial crazy quilt, late 19th century
During the late Victorian period, crazy quilts were assembled from elegant silks and velvets embellished with fancy embroidery. However, the method of assembling quilts from irregular scraps of fabric is much older.
The maker of this exquisite Victorian quilt signed her initials MWW in embroidery—see the picture below. The quilt came from a Vermont estate, but unfortunately we do not know who MWW was. Who among my valued clients will discover the identity of MWW, thereby increasing the value of this remarkable quilt?
The contained design features a combination of traditional haphazard "crazy" blocks and embroidered pictorial blocks. One block is hand painted, a technique promoted in ladies' magazines of the time. Most of the motifs feature flowers and ferns. How many varieties can be identified by the amateur botanists out there?
The 2X2 center block is embroidered with textured chenille goldenrod. The quilt is bordered with burgundy velvet. The cranberry red silk back is machine quilted and tacked to the front.
The brilliant kaleidoscope of hues is noteworthy for its startling richness and saturation, which make the quilt seem newer than new more than a century after its creation. Is this due to the very rare mint condition of the quilt; or due to the artistry of MWW; or more likely, due to both factors?
Look closely at the 3rd-5th detail pictures from the bottom: the little blue boy holding up his catch of fish; the surrealistic blue-and-brown-eyed fern; and the little girl lost in a wondrous dreamland of flower petals.
This is hardly the simplicity or naivety of most folk art. On the contrary, here we see the sophisticated whimsicality of an accomplished artistic. Nevertheless, because MWW is thus far unknown, we can call the quilt "folk art" in a technical sense.
The condition is mint. The superb condition is a special find. All too often the silk in Victorian quilts has deteriorated. The quilt was probably never used.
It measures 61" square. The size indicates the quilt was meant to be used as a decorative accessory in the parlor.
