Broken Star
ca. 1930-1949
Medium
Decorative Arts-Fiber
Classification
Decorative Arts-Fiber
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Raymond Vlasin and family, with deepest appreciation for the many friends with whom Claire Vlasin quilted
Accession Number
2017.24.16
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Broken Star a stunning quilt crafted by unidentified American artist around 193–1949. This artwork exemplifies the "Broken Star" pattern, beloved design in American quil traditions, where radiant star are pieced together from fabric scraps, creating a dynamic interplay of color and. Housed in the Smithsonian American Museum's Decorative Artsiber collection, it showcases the ingenuity of materials—likely including linens—transformed into functional yet artistic masterpiece. Quil during the Great Depression and World War II eras was than a craft; it was a communal lifeline Women gathered in "quilting bees" to share stories, conserve resources and produce warm bedcovers from salvaged textiles. This quilt credit line honors Claire Vlasin and herting friends, gifted by her family to the Smithsonian, highlighting the deep social bonds and resilience of mid-20th-century American women. Its presence in the collection underscores quilts as vital folk art, bridging utility and beauty. As a symbol of perseverance, the *Broken Star* invites visitors to appreciate the anonymous hands behind America's textile heritage—each stitch a testament to creativity amid hardship.
About the Artist
Unidentified (American) ( ) · 1851 –1899
1851–1899