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Handmade antique quilts

Handmade antique quilts star in online auction May 14

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Handmade antique quilts
Cotton Star of Bethlehem quilt, hand-pieced and hand-quilted in the 1830s or possibly earlier, 106in x 110in. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Whether used as a comfy bed covering or hung from a rack to decorate a wall, quilts have been present in American homes since Colonial days. In the 17th and 18th centuries, quilts were considered a necessary part of a bride’s hope chest. The best examples of the quilters’ art often remained there and survived in excellent condition. A large collection of antique quilts in vivid colors, intricate hand-stitched patterns and eye-dazzling designs will be sold at a Jasper52 online auction on Thursday, May 14. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Heading the list is a large Star of Bethlehem cotton quilt made in the 1830s – possibly earlier. This quilt is hand-pieced and hand-quilted, with background stars and two sawtooth and outer chintz borders. It is in very good condition, with age speckling in places (most visible on the back) and no wear. Three-quarter-inch grid quilting is exhibited throughout at eight to nine stitches to the inch. This quilt (above) is expected to sell for $2,000-$2,500.

From an estate in central Indian a is a cotton Princess Feather quilt (below) made in the 1850s. It is hand-appliqued and hand-quilted, with unusual “wheel” centers, nice background leaves, tri-colored feathers, a swag border and an additional sawtooth border. It measures a generous 90 by 92 inches and is excellent condition, with some age spotting in places and no wear. The quilting is superb, with quilting around the applique and in close straight line and clamshell designs in the background, all at  eight to 10 stitches to the inch (est. $1,500-$2,000).

Handmade antique quilts
Cotton 1850s Princess Feather quilt, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted, with unusual ‘wheel’ centers, 90in x 92in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

In like-new condition is a red, white and indigo blue Four-Patch/Nine-Patch quilt made in the 1870 of rich early cotton fabrics. It is hand-pieced and hand-quilted, with close straight line and grid designs quilted throughout at eight stitches to the inch. The quilt came out of western New York (est. $800-$1,000).

Handmade antique quilts
Cotton 1870s red, white and indigo blue Four-Patch/Nine-Patch quilt, hand-pieced and hand-quilted, with rich early fabrics in like-new condition, 80in x 80in Estimate: $800-$1,000. Jasper52 image

Also from the 1870s is a red and cheddar floral applique cotton quilt, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted, with a vine border on three sides. There is grid quilting throughout at eight stitches to the inch (est. $1,500-$2,000).

Handmade antique quilts
1870s/1880s red and cheddar floral applique quilt is all cotton, hand-appliqued and hand-quilted, 78in x 88in, eight stitches to the inch. Estimate $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

For something completely different the auction offers a single-layer bedspread or quilt top stitched together from flannel patches printed with flags of world nations as well as American Indian rug designs. The flannel patches were placed in packs of cigarettes and tobacco as premiums in the early 1900s. This spread is hand-stitched together with colorful hatch stitching. A lager flannel picturing the Stars & Stripes is placed in the center (est. $600-$700).

Handmade antique quilts
1920s bedspread made from flag and Native American rugs design flannel premiums, single layer hand-stitched together with colorful hatch stitching, 68in x 80in. Estimate: $600-$700. Jasper52 image

These and 126 more high-quality handmade quilts will be offered in the Jasper52 auction, which will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

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