Multiple artists, Album Quilt, United States, 1842–43.Glazed block- and roller-printed cotton appliqué (broderie perse), silk embroidery, ink drawings and inscriptions on cotton; cotton fringe; 120 x 132 in. Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Funds from Nancy Lake Benson and Bruce Benson and the Anonymous Acquisition Challenge Grant, 1985.300.

length: 120 in, 304.8000 cm; width: 132 in, 335.2800 cm

Names on quilt, in alphabetical order: Mary A. Bilger; Mahala Carpenter; Elisabeth Conoley / Bridesburg; Emma A. Fish, Trenton, N. J.; Mrs. E. Fish; Benjamin, Mr. Fish / Trenton, NJ; Louisa Flitchraft; Anna S. Hamilton / December 13th, 1842; C. C. Hamilton; Mrs. Eliza (sp?) Hamilton; Mary Hearst; Elinora Hill; Margeret Hill; Stryker Hoagland; Mrs. Lidia Howell; Susan Howell; Mahlon Hutchins; Lewis Justice; Mrs. Isabella M. Kelway; Margeret & Mr. Kelway; Emma McGowan; H. K. Mendenhall; Sarah Ann Mills; Eliza (?) Moore / January 20, 1843 / Mrs. Sarah S. Parker / September 15th, 1842 / Mrs. Prudence Patterson; Center Block: Mrs. Anna E. Perrine / 1842 / November 13th / Anna E. Perrine / Anna E. Perrine / A. E. Perrine

Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion

Textile Arts and Fashion-American

To create the floral arrangements, the maker cut flowers from glazed printed cottons called chintz, assembled them into the desired design, and carefully stitched them down. The expensive yardage and time necessary to complete such a quilt limited this technique to ladies of means and leisure. Smaller blossoms and fine details are drawn with pen and ink or embroidered, while signatures are signed, stamped, or stenciled. These floral forget-me-nots reminded the owner of family and friends.

Purchased July 1985 at Sotheby's, NY from the Pratt family by the Denver Art Museum

• "Fabulous Floral Fabrics," November 23, 2002 - May 4, 2003 (DAM)