Heavily embellished antique American quilt in the “Roman Fence” pattern. Pieced from dyed wool fabrics of varied weaves and in contrasting color combinations using solids, plaids, checks, and a few printed patterns. This quilt becomes special when its embroidered decoration is taken into full consideration.

The embroidery extends far beyond utility at block edges, and into the seams between individual strips. What’s more, the stitches used along every seam or edge (chain stitch, feather stitch, herringbone, cross stitch, undulating vines… several worked in two colors) appear to not repeat. Additionally, every corner intersection of blocks displays an embroidered starburst, a motif carried through to the reverse (instead of basic knotted ties).

Backed in polished cotton. Bound in a red knit.

Pennsylvania/New York border

Circa 1900-1920