"Slashed Star" or "Rose Window" Quilt
c. 1840
Medium
Cotton, plain weave; appliquéd with plain weaves; roller printed; backed with plain weave; quilted
Dimensions
234.3 × 234.6 cm (92 1/4 × 92 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
76040
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of 19th-century textiles with the *Slashed Star* or *Rose Window* Quilt, crafted around 1840 by an unknown artist. This magnificent square piece, measuring nearly 92 inches on each side, was designed as a bed covering, showcasing the ingenuity of domestic craft during the early industrial era. Its bold title evokes a radiant starburst or the intricate tracery of a Gothic cathedral rose window, rendered in vibrant roller-printed cotton fabrics. Made from plain-weave cotton, the quilt features expert appliqué work—where precisely cut shapes are layered and stitched atop a ba...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...