Elizabeth A. Coleman
Crazy Quilt Top
1884
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Elizabeth A. Coleman
Crazy Quilt Top
1884
Physical Qualities
Silk, including velvet and ribbons; silk embroidery threads, copper alloy strips; copper alloy decorations, including spangles and applied brooch of coral wrapped with gilt copper alloy wire; oil paint, glass bead, cotton foundation, 69 3/4 x 62 1/4 in. (177.2 x 158.1 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Julius Schloss
Object Number
1975.14.2
The eclectic nature and wide appeal of crazy quilts is evident in this quilt top attributed to E. A. Coleman of Kansas City, Missouri. It includes typical motifs, such as children rendered in outline embroidery, fans, birds, spider webs, and flowers, but also more esoteric designs: a stitched horse head, a chenille swan, a deer with beaded eye, and outline embroideries of fish, furniture, and eating utensils. Some generic elements found in crazy quilts were commercially available, while others may represent original designs. Personal souvenirs or fabrics saved from special garments might also be included, such as the Victorian coral brooch sewn to a pink circular ribbon on this quilt top, and the red silk swatch marked with painted and embroidered initials and date “l.c./1885” possibly referring to Coleman’s daughter Linnie.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1975; Mrs. Julius Schloss.
American Crazy Quilts
Rebecca Juliette, "Getting Jiggy with it, " B'more Art, July 22, 2015, http://bmoreart.com/2015/07/getting-jiggy-with-it.html
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: Painted and cross-stitched in white threads on a red ribbon at the upper right area: "LC [painted]/ 1885 [stitched]" Embroidered on a white silk satin patch with red flower, goldenrod, and blue flowers: "IMH"
Maker
Elizabeth A. Coleman
1825–1904
English, 1826-c.1905, immigrated 1850, active Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri until 1891
Meet Elizabeth A. Coleman
