Portland Public Library

Four centuries of quilts, the Colonial Williamsburg collection, Linda Baumgarten, Kimberly Smith Ivey

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Four centuries of quilts

bibliographycatalogs

865574964

Linda Baumgarten, Kimberly Smith Ivey

the Colonial Williamsburg collection

Quilts are among the most utilitarian of art objects, yet the best among them possess a formal beauty that rivals anything made on canvas. This landmark book, drawn from the world-renowned collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, highlights the splendour and craft of quilts with more than 300 superb colour images and details. Fascinating essays by two noted scholars trace the evolution of quilting styles and trends as they relate to the social, political and economic issues of their time. The collection includes quilts made by diverse religious and cultural groups over 400 years and across continents, from the Mediterranean, England, France, America, and Polynesia. The earliest quilts were made in India and the Mediterranean for export to the west and date to the late 16th century. Examples from 18th- to 20th-century America, many made by Amish and African-American quilters, reflect the multicultural nature of American society and include boldly coloured and patterned worsteds and brilliant pieced and appliqued works of art

Indian -- Silk corded -- European calico -- Early embroidered -- Worsted -- White -- Paper template -- Early appliqued -- Pieced 1840-1910 -- Mariner's compass -- Star -- Appliqued 1840-1930 -- Signature album -- Baltimore album -- Mennonite & Amish -- African American -- Make do -- Polynesian -- Red & white -- Show -- Meet the makers -- Closing remarks