Quilt No.299ASA - Art Gallery of South Australia

Owner:
Art Gallery of South Australia
Location:
SA Adelaide
Maker
Maker:
Virginia Huntingdon Barclay
Made in
USA
Patterms
Date:
1881 - 1900
Description:
Rectangular patchwork crazy quilt pieced in squares (3 across by 4 down), in silks and wool, with red sashing between blocks and red border, quilted. Colours are dark, with red and light blue. Embroidery includes double feather, rope, herringbone, satin, cross, sword edge, buttonhole and coral stitches, and French knots. Embroidered flowers include lily of the valley, rose, daisy, and sunflower, also butterflies. Backing is pieced in the frame style, with a large centre red square, within 10 frames or borders. Embroidered "In Most Loving Memory of My Darling 1883", "V.H.B." Hand sewn.
1900 x...
1900 x...
History:
Made by Virginia Huntingdon Barclay in Bethany, Virginia, USA, c.1883. Given to Mary Barclay (born Magarey) by her husband, Virginia's brother. Owned by her daughter Audine Andrews. Gifted to the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, in 1983 by Mrs. Audine Andrews.
832A4
Story:
Virginia Huntingdon Barclay, who died aged 21, made her quilt in Bethany, Virginia, United States. Her embroidered inscription is signed and dated 1883. The quilt was given to the donor's mother Mary Barclay (born Magarey) in 1919 on her return to South Australia with her family. Mary Barclay was born in South Australia and visited the United States in 1903 where she met and married the maker's brother.

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"The quilt consists of 12 blocks of crazy patchwork with an embroidered border. The quilt is made of 167 different fabrics; most of these are silk. These velvets, printed silks and satins are beautifully embroidered with flowers, household items and Kate Greenway images of children at play. Many of the motifs have a strong influence from the Aesthetic Movement. The edge of the quilt carries a border in maroon silk decorated with tendrils and daisies in very fine embroidery.
The patches are joined with hand sewing and embroidery, however the 12 panels are joined with machine stitching (chainstitch machine stitching). The blue silk lining was hand sewn into position with silk thread." [NGA]
"The quilt does consist of three layers but the central layer is not padding. The crazy patch pieces were sewn together and this was lined with white cotton fabric prior to the embroidery at the edges of the 12 panels being placed. This in turn was lined with a fine blue silk." [NGA] 1810 x 1460 mm
The patches are joined with hand sewing and embroidery, however the 12 panels are joined with machine stitching (chainstitch machine stitching). The blue silk lining was hand sewn into position with silk thread." [NGA]
"The quilt does consist of three layers but the central layer is not padding. The crazy patch pieces were sewn together and this was lined with white cotton fabric prior to the embroidery at the edges of the 12 panels being placed. This in turn was lined with a fine blue silk." [NGA] 1810 x 1460 mm