Quilt

ClassificationsTextiles-bed coverings-quilts

Date1874

Made AtBrooklyn, New York, United States, North America

MediumCotton

Dimensions44 × 73 in. (111.8 × 185.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. John and Elizabeth Stahr

Object number2017.2.1

DescriptionThroughout the centuries, the art of quilt making has shifted to include images and patterns turning into different types of quilts such as the patchwork or medallion quilt. American quilts began in the early days of colonization. As a task, women would create heavy quilts to protect their families from the frigid winters. Years later the quilts would become more creative as there would be more time available due to innovations and adaptation where it became a pastime rather than a task. When fabrics became manufactured in America, they were more affordable so that women did not have to make their own fabrics or yarn; thus, becoming more free to create more artistic types of quilting. The gift of creating quilts could be passed on through generations. In America, the act of giving quilts as a wedding present took off in the 1820s as people had more leisure time. These were often referred to as the Friendship, Album, or Signature quilt. The makers would move around gathering pieces of work from friends and family to create a large quilt of memories. These two quilts are such quilts as they were made in the year 1874 by family members and friends prior to William Burgess Cotrel and Sarah Elizabeth Farnam Cotrel moving across the country from Brooklyn, NY to San Francisco CA.

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