Child’s Album Quilt
1847
Physical Qualities
Cotton ground; wool and silk embroidery threads, 47 3/4 x 39 in. (121.3 x 99.1 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Rose Louise Thanhouser Halle Goldman, Baltimore, MD.
Object Number
1996.162
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A small rectangular crib quilt in the album style composed of 20 blocks, each approximately 5-3/4' to 6-1/4' square, and separated by a green print sashing approximately 1-3/4' wide. The blocks are appliquéd with various designs including groups of birds, solitary birds on branches, solitary flowers, floral bouquets, floral wreaths, potted flowers, etc. These are composed of various materials including primarily solid red, blue, yellow, green, white, and gold cottons with additional printed green calico and a printed tan calico. The appliqué is augmented with stuffed work and embroidery in wool and silk threads which add dimension and detail to the designs. The quilt is surrounded by a border approximately 4-5/8' wide which is ornamented with swag motifs appliquéd in green print calico and stuffed for dimension. Within each swag is a floral design, also appliquéd and stuffed. Embroidered details in various threads give definition to the appliquéd designs. The blocks appear to be quilted in outline and diamond motifs, although this is difficult to distinguish. The sashing is quilted in a variation of the chevron pattern. The border is quilted in outline, and perhaps in floral designs (difficult to discern). Stitches per inch cannot be counted while the object is framed. The quilt is bound with white cotton which appears to have been brought around from the backing.
DESCRIPTION BY GRID:
a1: Bowl of cherries?; appliqué, layered or reversed appliqué, stuffed work?, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
a2: Stem with full red blooms and buds; appliqué, layered or reverse appliqué; stuffed work?, embroidery (for detail); plain cotton, printed cotton; embr. thread
a3: Four birds around bud; appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery, stuffed work? (for birds); plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
a4: Stem with full white blossoms and buds; appliqué, layered or reverse appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
a5: Spray of four red flowers; appliqué, embroidery; cotton, embr. thread
b1: Lemon? spray; appliqué, stuffed work?, embroidery; cotton, embr. thread
b2: Wreath of buds?; appliqué; plain cotton
b3: Vase with red flowers; appliqué, layered or reverse appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
b4: Red floral spray; appliqué, stuffed work?, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
b5: Red floral design; appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
c1: Stem of full white blossoms and buds; appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
c2: Yellow flower; appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery (for outlining); plain cotton, printed cotton, embr.thread
c3: Red flower and bud; appliqué, embroidery; cotton, embr. thread
c4: Red bird with grapes and bud; appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, embr. thread
c5: White flowers; appliqué, layered appliqué?, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, silk? (for detail)
d1: Four birds around four berries?; appliqué, stuffed work?, embroidery; plain cotton, embr. thread
d2: Red flower and buds in vase; appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
d3: Full white flower with red bud and red bird; appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, embr. thread
d4: Vase with cherries?; appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
d5: Red flower and buds; appliqué, embroidery; plain cotton, printed cotton, embr. thread
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1996; Rose Louise Thanhouser Halle Goldman, Baltimore, MD, by descent; Martha Stein Weiller.
Anita Jones, Baltimore, The Baltimore Museum of Art, Jean and Allan Berman Textile Gallery, "Baltimore Album Quilts Revisited: A Matter of Style," 1st rotation, July 3rd, 2008-Jan. 27th, 2009, no catalog.
Ronda McAllen. "Jewish Baltimore Album Quilts." Uncoverings 2006, Vol. 27 Research Papers of the American Quilt Study Group," Joanna E. Evans (ed.) Presented Farmington, Connecticut, October 6-8, 2006, pp. 187-217, illus.
Inscribed: On reverse of mount [Now Removed]: "THE TOMLINSON COLLECTION/711 W. 40th St. The Rotunda/Baltimore, Maryland 21211" (inked, on gold foil label), "59501" (inked); backing board: "Place hangers in wall 26-1/2' apart" (inked)