Tumblers Crazy Quilt

Amish maker

ca. 1910–20 · Wool and cotton · The American Wing

The Amish community in Arthur, Illinois, has been stable and prosperous since its beginnings in 1865, when Amish people from communities farther east moved west to Illinois in search of open land to farm. This piece reflects the influence of the quilting traditions of the Pennsylvania Amish since it is pieced of richly colored wools of the type they favor. But because the religious strictures of the Arthur community are somewhat more relaxed than those in Pennsylvania, Arthur quiltmakers are allowed a greater degree of creativity in their designs. The Arthur Amish are especially known for a group of rather eccentric quilts from the early twentieth century based on crazy patterns, such as this example.

Artist

Amish maker

Date

ca. 1910–20

Medium

Wool and cotton

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Korda Caplan, Mary Erf and The Edgar J. Kaufmann Foundation Gifts, 2003