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Americana quilt

Americana quilt sale June 12 a kaleidoscope of colors, designs

Americana quilt
Star of Bethlehem quilt, circa 1880, Baltimore, excellent condition, 90 x 94 in. Estimate: $15,000-$16,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – A dazzling and dizzying display of pinwheels, stars and geometric shapes highlights a collection of more than 40 Americana and folk art quilts, which will be offered in a Jasper52 online auction on Tuesday, June 12. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

A handful of quilts date to the 19th century, including a large Star of Bethlehem (above) pieced and appliqued quilt, which was made in Baltimore in the 1880s. It features an eight-point center star of calico cotton surrounded by a sawtooth square border with appliqued chintz palm tree and pheasant motifs in the corners. This outstanding quilt is in excellent condition and should sell for $15,000-$16,000.

One of the oldest works in the auction is a large Variable Star quilt (below) made circa 1850. Laboriously completed, this quilt is decorated with prince’s feather, fish scale, lattice and herringbone motifs. It is a wonderfully well-preserved treasure (est. 2,000-$2,500).

Americana quilt
Variable Star quilt, circa 1850, thin cotton batting, 104 x 108 in., 10 stitches per inch per side. Estimate: $2,000-$2,200. Jasper52 image

 

A bright and bold applique quilt having thin cotton batting is ideal for summer use or as a wall hanging. Likely made by several quilters at an 1880s quilting bee, the textile exhibits five to seven stitches per square inch. Its colors are turkey red, cheddar and teal green on off-white. Its optical effects are described as leaf sprigs when viewed one way and ocean waves when viewed another way.

Americana quilt
Hand-appliqued quilt, 1880s, 83 x 85 in. Estimate: $1,000-$1,200. Jasper52 image

Amish quilts are among the most highly prized by collectors and quilting enthusiasts. Early Amish quilts were typically made of solid-colored, lightweight wool fabric, off the same bolts of fabric used for family clothing items. One such quilt in the Jasper52 auction was made in the 1920s of black, blue and gray wools in a Center Square pattern (est. $6,000-$6,500).

Americana quilt
Center Square Amish quilt, circa 1920, wood, homespun back, 66 x 80 in. Estimate: $6,000-$6,500. Jasper52 image

Several patchwork crazy quilts are offered in the Jasper52 auction. One antique example was acquired in Lancaster, Pa., and is dated: “begun June 20th, 1892, finished June 20th 1894. It exhibits assorted embroidered stitches and amazing stenciling stitching ($4,500-$5,000).

Americana quilt
Friendship family quilt, various wools, velvets and cottons, thin velvet binding with plaid backing, 67 x 86 in. Estimate: $4,500-$5,000. Jasper52 image

Another crazy quilt may be the sleeper of the sale in that it has some losses and shattering of the silk fabric and is described as being a bit fragile. Elaborately pieced and embroidered, this 12-block quilt—likely made by a dozen quilters—was put together with remarkable originality and flair (est.) $500-$800.

Americana quilt
Sampler crazy quilt of 12 blocks elaborately pieced and embroidered, 19th century, 62 x 56 in. Estimate: $500-$800. Jasper52 image

The auction will begin Tuesday, June 12, at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

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