Quilt No.741HHT - HHT and the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust

Owner: 
HHT and the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust
Location: 
NSW Sydney
Maker
Maker: 
Unknown
Made in
Unknown
Date: 
1881 - 1900
Description: 
"This patchwork is pieced from twelve contained panels of Crazy Patchwork. Each panel is formed of rich silks of various weaves and textures couched on to a calico ground, each patch overlaid to create interesting 'artistic' shapes and contrasts. The rug is backed with gold polished cotton and bordered in blue and green cotton to three edges, maroon to the fourth. Embroidery in several colours, but predominantly gold, is used to advantage in the variety of stitches which define the edges of the pieces, and occasionally on the patches themselves."
[Historic Houses Trust ' Sydney Quilt...
History: 

This quilt is part of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust. The maker is unknown. "The Crazy patchwork is associated with the interiors created by Bessie Rouse, nee Eliza Ann Buchanan (1843-1924), for her home, Rouse Hill, NSW. A c.1894 photograph of her studio shows it covering a folding iron chair. The fabrics cannot be identified with furnishing fabrics used in the house in the mid 1880s. It may have been a gift or purchase."
[Historic Houses Trust 'Sydney Quilt Stories' catalogue]

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"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