Elizabeth A. Coleman
Crazy Quilt
1890
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Elizabeth A. Coleman
Crazy Quilt
1890
Physical Qualities
Silk, velvet, paint, silk or cotton embroidery threads including chenille, ribbons, sequins, beads, 68 x 58-1/2 in. (173 x 148 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Julius Schloss
Object Number
1975.14.1
A rectangular crazy quilt with large bright patches of various colors and fabrics, ornamented with embroidery, painted areas, ribbons, sequins, beads, chenille; date cross-stitched on purple velvet at upper right, Berlin work bouquet on blue center, floral designs, outline embroidery of pitcher, fan motifs including oriental paddle fan and open folded fan at lower (viewer's) right corner. . Shares certain motifs with BMA 1975.14.2 including embroidered horse's head on pink silk ground and embroidered swan on black velvet ground. The quilt has no border and appears to be unfinished.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1975; Mrs. Julius Schloss.
Brick, Cindy. Crazy Quilts: History, Techniques, Embroidery Motifs. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2008.
McMorris, Penny, Crazy Quilts, N.Y.: E.P. Dutton, 1984..
Kiracofe, Roderick. The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950. N.Y.: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1993, p. 191, fig. 192.
Gunn, Virginia. 'Crazy Quilts and Outline Quilts: Popular Responses to the Decorative Art/Art Needlework Movement, 1876-1893." Uncoverings 1984. Sally Garoutte (Ed.). Mill Valley, CA.: American Quilt Study Group, 1985, pp. 131-152.
Peck, Amelia. American Quilts & Coverlets in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. N.Y.: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dutton Studio Books, 1990, pp. 94-97, p. 191, p. 208.
Safford, Carleton L. and Bishop, Robert. America's Quilts and Coverlets. N.Y.: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1972, pp. 296-303.
Houck, Carter. The Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated. N.Y.: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1991, pp. 179-178
McMorris, Penny, Crazy Quilts, N.Y.: E.P. Dutton, 1984..
Kiracofe, Roderick. The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950. N.Y.: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1993, p. 191, fig. 192.
Gunn, Virginia. 'Crazy Quilts and Outline Quilts: Popular Responses to the Decorative Art/Art Needlework Movement, 1876-1893." Uncoverings 1984. Sally Garoutte (Ed.). Mill Valley, CA.: American Quilt Study Group, 1985, pp. 131-152.
Peck, Amelia. American Quilts & Coverlets in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. N.Y.: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Dutton Studio Books, 1990, pp. 94-97, p. 191, p. 208.
Safford, Carleton L. and Bishop, Robert. America's Quilts and Coverlets. N.Y.: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1972, pp. 296-303.
Houck, Carter. The Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated. N.Y.: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1991, pp. 179-178
Inscribed: Embroidered in upper right (viewer's) corner: "E. A/ COLEMAN./ 1891/ Age 65 years."
Maker
Elizabeth A. Coleman
1825–1904
English, 1826-c.1905, immigrated 1850, active Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri until 1891
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