Crazy Quilt

Unknown

ca. 1880–1900 · Wool with wool and silk embroidery · The American Wing

This pictorial wool crazy quilt is unique among the other quilts of its type in the Museum’s collection. Crazy quilts are most commonly pieced together with scraps of brightly colored silk and silk ribbons, such as 62.143, 1983.349, 1989.66, 1992.281, and 1993.101. However, The Met’s collection also includes several interesting examples of crazy quilts that don’t fit the norm, including a printed cotton example (2007.342), a Quaker silk and wool crazy (1974.34), and one made entirely of wool with an Amish provenance (2003.188). The pictorial nature of this quilt makes it particularly special. The images--mostly of animals, people, and things—appliqued onto each patch seem to reflect the maker’s life. Dogs, horses, cows, rabbits, frogs, goats, elephants, and birds appear among a variety of flowers and leaves. Human figures go about their everyday lives: a girl jumps rope, a woman sweeps, and one man caries a ladder while another sits atop a horse. Small patches are appliqued with small objects such as jugs, shoes, and spoons. At the top right, there is a larger patch with the figure of St. Nick, all dressed in red robes. Unfortunately, the quilt came to the museum from the donor without no firm provenance, so other than the fact that it was last sold at auction in Illinois, we don’t know anything about its’ maker or where it was originally made.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1880–1900

Medium

Wool with wool and silk embroidery

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of the Zelanka Family, in honor of Bernard and Rhoda Zelanka, 2016