Quilt No.980NGA - National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Australia
Owner: 
National Gallery of Australia
Location: 
ACT
Maker
Maker: 
Hampson Family Members
Made in
AUSTRALIA TAS
Patterms
Embroidered and/or Appliqued, Motifs or Names, Pictorial, Wholecloth, Typically Australian
Date: 
1901 - 1920
Description: 
" The quilt is a patchwork of red cotton fabric. Each piece is decorated with embroidery in thick white cotton thread and with cotton appliqué. The edge of the quilt is decorated with a red cotton unlined border strip decorated with cutwork daisies, producing a scalloped edge. The images and inscriptions carried on each of the pieces of various sizes are a time capsule to notions and everyday life at the turn of the century.
In the centre is Queen Victoria surrounded by a garland of floral emblem of the Empire. (This square is dated 1901) Other squares carry scenes of daily life, farm...
History: 

The quilt was made by members of the Hampson family in Tasmania between 1900 and 1903. It was given to Mary Gray a neighbour who cared for the last surviving member of the Hampson family. Mary had a small house and offered the quilt to the Fitzpatrick sisters to hang in their Fitzpatrick Inn in Westbury. The quilt was purchased in 1990 for the National Gallery of Australia with the generous assistance of funds from the National Gallery's Australian Textile Fund.

Story: 

" Members of the Hampson family, who lived at 'Fern Bank' near Westbury in northern Tasmania, made this quilt. John and Mary Hampson settled in the area in 1865 and had seven children. As the dates on the quilt show it was made between 1901-1903, Mary and five daughters and two sons were living at Fern Bank at this time, so work could be carried out by any of the family members.
In 1948 the elder of the two sons, John, died and as the other male William was disabled, he and his unmarried sisters moved to Westbury. It does not appear that any of the Hampson family produced offspring. William was the last surviving member of the Hampson family, and during his last years he was cared for by his next door neighbour Mary Gray. William died in 1955, leaving the house to the Church of England, and some land and possessions to Mary Gray: including the quilt. Mary had a very small house and as there was nowhere to hang the quilt it was given to the Fitzpatrick sisters (Genevieve and Myra) to hang in their Fitzpatrick Inn in Westbury. The quilt was purchased in 1990 for the National Gallery of Australia with the generous assistance of funds from the National Gallery's Australian Textile Fund." [NGA]

Related Quilts:

Yvonne Hamdorf
Quilt No.1016YH - Yvonne Hamdorf
Wholecloth pram quilt with a top of pink cotton sateen, and the reverse is a more finely woven, ivory, fabric. All over quilting design as main feature, with stylised hearts, leaves and cross hatching. The padding is cotton batting. 870 x 660 mm.
Wholecloth, Quilting as major design element
John Tomkin
Quilt No.1005JT - John Tomkin
Hand stitched, cotton, appliquéd, quilt in a flower pattern on a plain background. Colours are shades of green, apricot and browns. This quilt was known as a 'Bride's Quilt'. Padding is thought to be layers of white fabric raised almost like a wadding. The backing is cotton material. 2470 x 2020 mm.
Wholecloth, Embroidered and/or Appliqued
Irene Pascoe
Quilt No.417IP - Irene Pascoe
Utilitarian cot quilt. The padding is layered reused woollen materials, parts of old blankets, part overcoats. These are stitched together with string and knitting wools The top and backing are printed cotton. There is a frill all around and buttons have been used to anchor the padding layers to the outside cover.
1169 x 915mm
Wholecloth, Re-used clothing or blanket, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
Kaniva District Historical Society
Quilt No.168KHS - Kaniva District Historical Society
Wholecloth cot quilt of pink silk with an overall paisley pattern in grey and black. Pink-purple fringe along one edge.
1677 x 1677mm
Wholecloth, Utilitarian
Rosemary Blake
Quilt No.81RB - Rosemary Blake
Single bed quilt made from sugar bags stitched together covered with a ticking type fabric. This inner layer is then covered with muslin, dyed yellow. It is similar in construction to 80RB but much lighter as the sugar bags are lighter than the heavy jute potato bags.
1520 x 990 mm
Wholecloth, Domestic Wagga, Utilitarian, Typically Australian
Lorna Calder
Quilt No.581LC - Lorna Calder
Patchwork quilt of multi coloured silks and brocades. Crazy patchwork borders, mainly rectangular fabrics pieced together in diagonal patterns, radiating from a central frame embroidered with flowers. Many pieces are extensively embroidered in a great variety of stitches and motifs; butterflies, sunflowers, cats, daffodils, crown, pawn broker's symbol, 'money to lend', 'good night', the initials of family members and 'mater 1890'. The quilt has a deep border of maroon sateen. There is no padding visible but it is possibly a blanket. The backing is green/gold silk with a self stripe with red cotton damask showing underneath, possibly an earlier backing.
2165 x 2165mm
Frame, Motifs or Names, Patchwork, Typically Australian