Quilt No.960NGA - National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Australia
Owner: 
National Gallery of Australia
Location: 
ACT
Maker
Maker: 
Mary Ann Brunton
Made in
AUSTRALIA VIC
Date: 
1851 - 1880
Description: 
"A medallion or framed quilt in design. There is a central field of small patchwork diamonds, and from this radiates plain stripes of fabric bordering areas of patchwork panels. The edge of the quilt carries bands of red cotton, which are slightly larger at the top and bottom edges, and here the band is additionally decorated with appliqué diamonds. The fabric of the patchwork is cotton in fine plain weave of pale coloured florals and small geometric designs. The framing and border stripes are of bright red twill weave cotton. The small diamonds of the central field are hand sewn, with...
History: 

The quilt was made by Mary Ann Brunton. She began the quilt in 1873 at Sandhurst near Bendigo, Victoria. In 1990 the National Gallery of Australia purchased the quilt by auction at Sotheby's London. It is believed to have been in the possession of Mary Brunton's descendants until this time.

Story: 

"Mary Ann Brunton (Australia born 1851-Australia died 1930) began making the quilt in 1873, when she was living at Sandhurst near Bendigo, Victoria. Mary Ann was a dressmaker and the fabrics in the centre of the quilt were saved from other jobs. The quilt was not finished until 1887 after she and her family of eight children moved to Swan Hill. This quilt is the only known one made by Mrs. Brunton, and she entered it into ten Agricultural Fairs in the Kerang district between 1888-1897 winning first place each time. The National Gallery of Australia has some of the prize certificates from these competitions." [NGA]

Related Quilts:

Joanne Pedler
Crazy patchwork cot quilt made from a wide variety of materials, patterned and plain. Some seams are overstitched with feather stitch and herringbone. One of a pair. There is no padding. The backing is taffeta.
1500 x 2000mm
June Dean
Pieced hexagons, English paper method. Large hexagons form the centre with a border of smaller hexagons. The fabrics are all cotton in a wide range of colours and patterns. There is no padding. The backing is cotton, large white floral design on dark blue. The hexagons are hand pieced and the edges machined.
2480 x 1420 mm
National Trust of Australia (TAS)
Crazy patchwork quilt of pieces of plain and patterned silks in bright and pastel colours, each patch edged and decorated with a variety of embroidery stitches, including star, spider, french knot and feather and herringbone variations. 2 patches of early aniline dyed blue silk. Motifs of tennis racquet, horse shoes, fan and some embroidered flowers. The patches are stitched to coarse linen. There is a wide border of red plush velvet turned to the underside. There is no padding. The backing is red polished cotton.
1550 x 1435mm
Cressida Mary Webb Challis
Quilt of machine pieced squares and rectangles using a wide variety of materials in plain colours and patterns. It is one of a pair. There is no padding and the backing is 90cm strips of calico.
2500 x 2130mm
Gillian Albers
Patchwork quilt made from hexagons in 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' design, in blue and aqua cottons, polyester and flannelette. Quilt is backed. No padding or quilting.
2380 x 2320mm
Oakey Historical Museum Society Inc.
Cotton patchwork cover constructed from hand sewn hexagons (65mm) in cotton and linen furnishing materials. The curved edges are bound with blue and cream printed striped cotton. The backing material is not visible.
941 x 261mm