Unfinished quilt top (circle with six-pointed star) c. 19th century

Mary Swain, born in 1812, created this unfinished quilt top of a circle with a six-pointed star using fabric. Observe how the central red circle acts as the nucleus, from which yellow rays extend, each a sharp isosceles triangle. Alternating with these are triangles in green and red, set against a white background. The juxtaposition of geometric forms—the circle, triangles, and the implied hexagon—creates a visual tension, a dynamic play between order and asymmetry. Quilts, often associated with domesticity, take on new meanings. This quilt top, with its incomplete nature, invites contemplation on the broader semiotic structures of textiles, their symbolic role in culture, and the potential for art to destabilize established categories. It offers an opportunity for ongoing interpretation within cultural and philosophical discourse.