Quilt No.550PD - Phyllis Dowling

Phyllis Dowling
Owner: 
Phyllis Dowling
Location: 
NSW Riverina
Maker
Maker: 
Harriet Harris?
Made in
AUSTRALIA NSW
Date: 
1851 - 1880
Description: 
Hand pieced cot quilt made from small rectangular shapes of a great variety of materials including cottons, silks, wools and velvets. The backing is cotton sateen in 3 colours and is brought to the front to form a border of pink, cream and yellow.
1170 x 920mm
History: 

The exact history of the quilt is not known but it is thought to have been made by Harriet Harris at either Kiandra or 'Glory Hole' in the 1860s. It is now owned by her great grand-daughter, Phyllis Dowling.

Story: 

"Harriet Harris was born c.1825-1830 in Pedwell, Somerset, England. She was the daughter of John Chapple, a builder, and Mary Sandy. She married Henry Josiah Harris on 2 January 1853 at Trinity Church, Newington, London.
Henry Harris was a butcher and had several trips to Australia as a Ships Butcher before deciding to remain here c.1857.
They had 3 children born in London, Annie, Emma Harriet and Henry George. Harriet and her 3 children arrived in Sydney on the ship 'Herald of the Morning' on 25 June 1858. The family were in Newtown, Sydney when the 4th child, Robert, was born 6th June 1859.
In 1860, following the discovery of gold the family moved to Kiandra, travelling to Twofold Bay by boat and then to Kiandra by bullock dray.
The next child, Catherine Louisa was born there 9 May 1860 followed by Rose Elizabeth 12 September 1864 and finally Oliver John 9 February 1866.
Henry Harris continued with his butchering business in Kiandra but because of the harsh winters had to have somewhere other than Kiandra for his stock in winter so besides the home in Kiandra he purchased a 40 acre block below what is now Yarrangobilly Caves. This property was called 'Glory Hole' and members of the family lived there until 1910.
Although small and primitive in the beginning the 'Glory Hole' home eventually had 5 bedrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchen. hallway and verandah. The house was built of timber split on site.
Both Henry and Harriet are buried in the family grave at 'Glory Hole'. Henry died 17 August 1898 and Harriet 1 August 1904."
[Phyllis Dowling, Tumut 1998]

Harriet Harris with g.daughter Alice West, Glory Hole 1902
Harriet Harris with g.daughter Alice West, Glory Hole 1902

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National Gallery of Australia
"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
Barbara Levy
"The quilt is made up of many cotton hexagons of various colours, patterns and designs, finely sewn by hand, making a very attractive bedspread. Each patch is lined with lawn. It is quite a heavy quilt, with its plain border, and backing of home-spun cotton or cesarine. The family always called it a 'cottage design'."
No quilting.
2312 x 1905mm
Sallie Cross
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Barbara McCabe
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Marion Coleman
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