Few quilts exhibit greater mastery of the techniques of piecing and chintz applique (sometime called broderie perse) than this "Star of Bethlehem." Composed of over 1500 carefully cut diamonds of fabric, such patterns required great precision in piecing since any mistake made in the center would be magnified at the outer edges, resulting in a quilt that would not lie flat. The great variety of fabrics contained in this quilt--including Turkey-red ground discharge prints, brown and black-ground florals, paisley prints, checks, and indigo-blue dyed fabrics with yellow-orange figures--is indicative of the availability of colorful printed cottons in numerous patterns and at inexpensive prices by the 1830s. In 1836 American mills alone manufactured 120 million yards of these fabrics. Foreign fabrics were also plentiful. The floral print motifs appliqued in the corners and side of this quilt were cut from an English arborescent chintz identified as dating from about 1830. Such quilts were not pieced by thrifty women from saved scraps, but were fashioned from new fabrics bought specifically for the purpose of making an outstanding bedcover. The pristine condition of the quilt may indicate that it was intended as a show quilt for exhibition rather than household use. Although the origin of this quilt is unknown, "Star of Bethlehem" quilts with chintz applique added have been found in Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Kentucky.