Quilt No.191MB - Margaret Bryant

Margaret Bryant
Owner: 
Margaret Bryant
Location: 
VIC North East
Maker
Maker: 
George Dennis
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Patterms
Pieced Animal skins, Native Fauna
Date: 
1921 - 1940
Description: 
Kangaroo skin rug made from 22 pieces of kangaroo pelt, 4 pieces across each end of the rug and 2 larger pieces making up panels in the central portion of the rug. Pelts are hand stitched together. Backing of burgundy felt has been attached by hand stitching. The navy edging around the skins appears to be machine sewn. The felt backinge xtends beyond the fur and makes a border with scalloped edge. No padding. 1981 x 1309mm
History: 

Probably made by George Dennis at Bundalong (VIC), in the 1920s. Owned by George Dennis, then by his daughter Mrs Anne Bryant, then by her daughter Rosa Egan.

Story: 

Known as The Kangaroo Rug or grampy's Rug. Probably made at Bundalong on the Murray River, Yarrawonga, by George Dennis, using kangaroo pelts from kangaroos shot during hunting trips.
George Dennis (1882-1944)
Mrs Anne Bryant (born Dennis) (1911-1993)
"This rug/quilt was used on beds in my husband's home at Yarrawonga probably following his grandfather's death in 1944 when the said rug/ quilt became something of a family treasure and still is! The maker was a keen shooter, fisherman, and was a farmer by occupation - his wife Isabel Dennis may have helped in quilt making."
[Margaret Bryant]

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