Baltimoresignature album quilt top 1844 - 1845
anonymous
minneapolisinstituteofart
textile, cotton
pattern heavy
natural stone pattern
naturalistic pattern
textile
geometric pattern
pattern background
ethnic pattern
organic pattern
united-states
pattern repetition
cotton
textile design
layered pattern
The “Baltimoresignature album quilt top” is an anonymous work of art, created between 1844 and 1845. The quilt top consists of a white background with a variety of colorful floral and geometric patterns, arranged in a grid format. It is bordered by a repeating motif of red flowers and green leaves. The quilt is a remarkable example of the intricate and skillful craftsmanship of early American quilt-making, showcasing a wide range of quilting techniques. The piece is currently on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
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Thirty-six women made this quilt top, each contributing a unique square, which she signed. Signature album quilts were a collective form of remembrance—a record of the names, kind sentiments, and sewing skills of a group of friends. Such quilts became popular in the 1840s, a period of national expansion when many people, moving westward, desired a material reminder of the communities they left behind. Album quilts were especially popular in Baltimore, where the Methodist Church had a strong presence. Methodist ministers had to move to a different congregation every year, and on their arrival or departure they often received an album quilt from the congregation. This quilt top was not completed with a backing, so it likely was never presented to the intended recipient.
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