Tennessee crazy quilt, circa 1875, attributed to Fanny Hickerson Wooton (also spelled Wooten, 1844-1927) of Coffee County and/or her mother, Mary Saunders Martin Hickerson (1825-1881, whose sampler is also in this auction). Hand stitched quilt comprised of a dark blue velvet border with gold stitching to blue cotton backing, enclosing nine squares of silk, velvet, and cotton pieces, embellished with brightly colored thread (including some metallic thread) in various designs of flowers and animals including elephant, horse, pigs, rabbit, birds, owl, fish, and salamander; also stitched with depictions of numerous items common in households of the period including an Eastlake settee, cruet set, bottle, 2 plows, lawn chair, coffee pot, horse shoe, anchor, and rifle. 81" H x 75" W. Note: The quilt is said to have been made for a bride in the family (possibly Fanny Hickerson Wooton's daughter, Sarah Lucille Wooten Chumley (1867-1946)) and to have been stitched showing items given to the couple as wedding presents. It descended in the Chumley family and was purchased from a family member by the consignor. The presence of the initial "M" embroidered near the center of the quilt suggests Mary Saunders Martin Hickerson may have had a hand in its creation. Also included with this quilt is a strip of unfinished crazy quilt squares from the same family, lacking embroidery or backing, 81" x 90", with frayed threads and small losses and stains. See related quilts and sampler in this auction, lots #592 and 594. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Center square, handpainted silk, has disintegrated. Remnants retained. The remained of the quilt is in overall good condition with some fraying to a few dark red, dark taupe, green and black silks. One 3" area of black silk has nearly disintegrated (near 1 pig), and the adjacent striped silk has a 4" area of staining. Scattered light staining to back including a 4" oval where backing material has lost its color. Other scattered light stains, up to 3". An L shaped slit to back fabric, 3" x 3".