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Costume and Textiles Album Quilt Made in Stanford, New York, United States 1853 Possibly made by the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellowsand the Rebekah Printed and solid cotton plain weave with appliqué of printed, solid, and glazed cotton plain weave, wool twill, silk velvet, cotton velveteen, silk satin, and plain weave silk; wool, silk, and cotton embroidery in chain, buttonhole, stem, cross, satin, and herringbone stitches; glass beads; ink; quilted with cotton thread 87 x 87 inches (221.0 x 221.0 cm) Currently not on view 2001-204-1 Gift of Elizabeth Albert, 2001 |
Gallery LabelAlbum quilts were very popular in the mid-nineteenth century, valued as expressions of affection and friendship. In this example, forty-eight blocks are inscribed with the names and initials of the family and friends of Richard H. Mosher. The center block is appliquéd with three intersecting links, representing friendship, love, and truth, symbols of the fraternal Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Some of the quilt blocks also contain symbolic references to this fellowship, while others may be based on popular prints of the period, including the little girl Topsy from Uncle Tom's Cabin published in 1852, kittens playing with balls of yarn, a log cabin, and soldiers on horseback. |
