Circa 1850s Trapunto White Work Quilt With Pineapple Motif From the American South

Description

This mid 19th century quilt is made in the “stuffed technique” or the Trapunto technique. In this style of quilting, … more This mid 19th century quilt is made in the “stuffed technique” or the Trapunto technique. In this style of quilting, two layers of white linen or cotton are placed one over the other. The bottom layer is a looser weave than the top layer. As the design progresses, the quilter snips little cuts in the back layer in order to stuff the chambers that make up the sworn, thus creating the raised look. Any quilt with close, uniform stitching requires hundreds of hours to complete. The quilter who created this quilt managed on average 20 remarkably uniform stitches per linear inch. The design motifs of this quilt are the pineapple, a symbol of wealth and hospitality, particularly in the south, and what are likely crossed cotton plant stems.

This quilt is in good original condition. It has been washed, and shows staining on the reverse with at least one tiny perforation. The stitching and raised features show wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions: 70” width, 70” depth less