“Ocean Waves” Quilt
1874-1899
Scroll
“Ocean Waves” Quilt
1874-1899
Physical Qualities
Cotton, 72 x 78 1/4 in. (182.9 x 198.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Millie R. and Mannes F. Greenberg, Baltimore
Object Number
2012.172
Large rectangular bed block quilt in Ocean Wave pattern composed of 84 full blocks each centered on a 3-1/2" square set on point and surrounded by 4 rows of pieced isosceles triangles. These triangles are approx. 7/8" H and 1-1/8" W and 1-5/8" at the bottom. The majority of the quilt is of white or off-white colored cotton. Triangles of red, brown, gold, olive, green, and blue solids and small scale prints, stripes, checks in various colors. Prints include dark brown prints with floral designs in white, black and peach; green prints with yellow and lighter green motifs, pink ground prints with pink motifs (cinnamon), vermiculate prints, etc. These alternate with white/off-white triangles. A single pieced sawtooth border 1-3/8" W composed of the same materials as the body of the quilt surrounds all four sides. The quilt is backed with a single whole cloth of off-white cotton. Batting (cotton) is present. Quilting is by hand in white cotton and off-white thread using 9 stitches per inch on the top, 17 stitches per inch counting top and bottom. Quilting is in a diamond pattern in the border and a diagonal within the center squares. Pencil marks for quilting are still visible, especially in border. A binding applied with the straight of the grain is attached by hand allowing 1" on the front and 3/8" on the reverse.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest, 2012; Mildred R. Greenberg, Baltimore
Rubin, Stella, Miller's Treasure or Not?: How to Compare and Value American Quilts, London: Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, 2001, pp. 126-127. Illus. p. 127 very like this example except quilting in BMA example is far less complex.
