The origin of this Diamond in a Square Quilt with embroidery is a mystery. Clearly, the pattern is reminiscent of Lancaster County Amish but it is not that. It is possible that it is English, but not a pattern one would see often. The use of the embroidered flowers and printed paisley (probably from a shawl) are unusual, regardless of where it was made. Slight wear does not distract from the overall impact of the graphics. Small circles are mostly embroidery, not damage. Medium weight wools with ...click for details
Striking Tumbling Blocks quilt comforter that is of extremely heavy weight but finely made. Beautiful late 19th century wool challis fabrics. The weight is not due to the use of thick materials for the pattern but rather, whatever was used for the batting. Cut wool provides unusual decorative edging. Printed cotton backing makes this reversible to another quilt with a totally different look. Reverse has small black leather circles that are the backing of the ties on the front. Excellent conditio ...click for details
Unusual arrangement of Bow Tie blocks set in diamonds gives an entirely different feel to this traditional quilt pattern. Tobacco colored ground nicely sets off the deeper colored primary blocks. Excellent condition. Measures 62" x 76". Primarily wools with a little bit of velvet and cotton; backing is cotton flannel. Circa 1920; Pennsylvania origin.
Groups of four Pinwheel blocks are set together to create a dense pattern with lots of movement. Browns, greens and teals together make for an especially rich palette. Machine quilted. Several water marks visible on border and one in lowest of middle group of Pinwheels. Fabrics are strong and could probably be washed but I have not touched it. Backing is pieced bars. Measures 78" x 86". Franklin County, Pennsylvania Quilt Documentation project label is shown on thumbnail photo. Circa 1 ...click for details
Large and small Concentric Diamonds are repeated in the grid formed by the outline of each shape. Reds sprinkled throughout make this primarily earth toned rug quite lively. Made of wools; excellent condition. Measures 23" x 39 1/2". Pennsylvania origin; circa 1920.
This is both the earliest and largest Tumbling Blocks quilt that I have seen. It measures an enormous 102" x 116"; generous for a king size bed or a fabulous wall hanging for a loft space. This pattern is always dramatic but the scale of this makes it unusually so. Well quilted; hand loomed Trenton tape binding. Front is in excellent condition. There is one dark spot about the size of a dime that is visible in first thumbnail close-up. Staining on the back does not come through to the ...click for details
Extraordinarily finely hooked rug in a pattern of stepped rectangles. Colors are beautifully placed to create an overall pattern of concentric diamonds. Superb design and execution. Border color combines black with deep purples. Made of light weight wools. Measures 23 1/2" x 37"; circa 1920.
This Concentric Squares quilt is much more like a modern painting than a traditional quilt. It predates Josef Albers Homage to the Square by several decades and is remarkably similar (although not in price). The squares alone would have made an effective design but the use of the alternating red centers is brilliant. Excellent condition. Measures 72" x 74"; circa 1910.
Puss in the Corner (aka Improved Nine Patch) quilt in colors that only the Amish would dare to combine. Finely planned but somewhat crudely executed. Border wonderfully repeats colors and shapes of the Nine Patch blocks. Very good condition; wools and crepes. Circa 1920; Western Pennsylvania Amish origin. Measures 76" x 80". Background color is much more green than the blue that shows on my monitor.
Cross Roads ( aka Old Italian Block) pattern quilt done with a nice selection of late 19th century calico fabrics. Solid white contrasting with the printed calicoes gives dramatic diagonal movement. Damage to one purple triangle; the rest of the quilt is in excellent condition. Measures 64" x 73".
