"Star of Bethlehem" Quilt
c. 1830
Medium
Cotton, various plain weaves; printed; some calendarized and glazed; pieced; lined with cotton, plain weave; pieced; batting: cotton; quilted
Dimensions
306.7 × 320 cm (120 3/4 × 126 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
202544
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This large bedcover presents a spectacular display of stylish English chintz contrasted with plain white cotton fabric and red patterned cotton, likely of American production. Piecing and quilting this brilliant array of fabrics was an ambitious project. Colorful large and impressively complex quilts became increasingly common toward the mid-19th century, as the availability of a broad range of patterned textiles resulted in the creation of quilts for show, fostering friendly competition among q...
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...