Square from a 'Crazy Quilt'
c. 1884
Medium
Silk, tabby, satin, velvet & twill weaves. some have warp-face, extra pattern wefts, printing, or moiré pattern, cisele velvet Embroidered in silk floss & 2 ply twist. (Backed with tabby cotton after piecing.) Embroidery thru 3 layers Stitches: Herrinbone, feather, buttonhole, cross, satin, fishbone knot, & variations with line stitch
Dimensions
44.5 × 44.5 cm (17 1/2 × 17 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11790
Art Historical Context
This vibrant square from a "Crazy Quilt," dating to around 1884, exemplifies late 19th-century American craze for these improvisational patchwork creations. Popular among middle- and upper-class women during Victorian era, Crazy Quil departed from traditional geometric patterns embracing irregular shapes pieced from luxurious fabric scraps. Often displayed as parlor decorations rather than bedcovers, they showcased creativity, resourcefulness, and a flair for asymmetry influenced by global aesthetics like Japonisme seen at World's Fairs. Crafted from an array of silk fabrics—including tabby, ...
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...