Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Unusual Album Quilts, Part 2

We are ontinuing with our look at unusual album quilts this week!

Album Quilt

Sarah Jane Parks Melson

Accomack Co, Virginia

1870

Isn't it wonderful?  I love the intensity of the colors and the "full feeling" of the blocks.  Last week we saw a quilt with what appeared to be a block out of place, and here I'm seeing the same thing.  Why a fifth oak leaf instead of continuing the pattern of the "acorn" blocks?  In any case, it's magnificent!

Apparently the quilt appears in the book, "Quilts of Virginia, 1607-1899." 

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Album Quilt

Katherine Cox Williams

Ohio

1873

Here is another pictorial album quilt.  I find them fascinating.  This one has the occurrence of a horse 5 times!  The border is a classic "tassel" scallop.  I've not been able to find any further provenance on the quilt other than what was attached to the photo on Pinterest.

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Album Quilt

1853

I can't find any information about this one, either.  In my mind, the thing that makes it unique is the castle structure in the middle.  There are also words embroidered in each corner, saying Peace; Unity; And; Love.  There is also the word "Folly" toward the top right of the quilt.  Very interesting.  I wish I knew more about it.

It appeared on an estate sale website:

https://www.estatesales.net/FL/Maitland/32751/617937

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Botanical Album Quilt

Cinthia Arsworth

1840-1845

Philadephia Museum of Art

Isn't this stunning?  Such detail and the feel is so consistent with the photos the blocks are meant to imitate.  The maker employed appliqué, broderie perse and embroidery to accomplish the piece.

From the curators' comments: "This quilt is a variation of the traditional Baltimore album quilt in which blocks were appliquéd to suggest pages from one of the pictorial, remembrance, or autograph albums that were popular in mid-nineteenth century America."

For a real treat, follow this link for more information and pictures:

http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/47684.html?mulR=8575%7C4482

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Album Quilt

1853-1856

This one is much more along the lines of the traditional Baltimore Album quilt, but there is just something so sweet and open about it.  I love the white space around the blocks that give the eye a chance to see each block and appreciate its beauty.  The scallop border is perfect for the finish.

It resides in the IQSC Museum as part of the James collection and you can see more about it here.

Thanks for joining us on our two week look

at unusual album quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest, unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.