The asymmetrical shapes within this crazy quilt, as well as the elegant painted oriental fan, and the ubiquitous embroidered spider and web are clear indications of Japanese influence. Other foreign inspired elements include outline embroideries related to English nursery rhymes and children’s stories. The silk bookmark featuring the Ascension of Jesus Christ is also an English import woven by the firm of Thomas Stevens in Coventry. Although the pattern appears random, a sense of order and containment is imposed on this quilt by the pieced folding fans at each corner and an “ice cream cone” border. Crazy quilts of the 1880s–1890s were usually too small and fancy for everyday use on a bed. They also lacked the layer of batting technically required to define a quilt. Most were displayed as elegant throws over furniture.