Hearts, Star of Lemoyne, and Honeycomb Quilt

Hannah Hislop

March 12, 1844 · Cotton, printed and pieced · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

A central, stitched inscription commemorates Hannah Hislop, the likely creator of this splendid quilt, recording her home of County Cavan, and the date March 12, 1844. A talented amateur seamstress, Hannah carefully reused four different brightly colored, printed fabrics reclaimed from dresses- perhaps her own- to create the carefully cut and hemmed patches pieced together in this bold and dramatic quilt. Close examination reveals some of the original seams left from the cottons’ earlier iterations as clothing items. Beyond thrift, this also hints at the intrinsic value assigned such textiles- as much-loved fabrics, even mementoes of family significance. A quilt such as this might well have been the principal colorful, decorative textile furnishing within Hannah’s home. Archival records reveal that in later years, she lived alone in increasing poverty, briefly falling foul of the law. At her death, Hannah left effects valued below £20; it is not known whether this joyful relic of her youth was among them.

Artist

Hannah Hislop

Date

March 12, 1844

Medium

Cotton, printed and pieced

Culture

English or American

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Karen B. Cohen, in honor of Rochelle C. Rosenberg, 2022