| Antique Crazy Quilts |
| Click on the pictures below to see more views of my Antique Crazy Quilts. Shading is due to lighting, not representative of the quilt. Please call for the availability or any questions. |
| About Antique Crazy Quilts |
| The heyday of Victorian Crazy quilting was circa 1885. However, these quilts were made from 1880 until the late 1890’s. Any Crazy quilt containing a date prior to 1879, would most likely indicate a special date from the family’s history. During the height of the Victorian era, homes could not have enough embellishment. Women wholeheartedly threw themselves into decorating every inch of the floors, walls and furniture. The culture of the times was full of symbolism, poetry and romance. Crazy quilting allowed women to display their artistic abilities in needlework, oil painting, and arrangement of embellishments. Silks, silk velvets and chenille, and threads of every hue were used to incorporate names, dates, pictures, and a wide assortment of symbols. Antique Crazy quilts are judged by design, graphics, level of embellishment and overall condition. We have antique quilts truly astonishing in their level of needlework and graphic impact, and as always, guaranteed to be the very highest quality. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8740 Mummers Crazy Quilt c.1890 91 x 92 Philadelphia, PA $8,500 Some of the earliest mummers date back to early Egypt, pagan Rome and Greece, England, Germany, and France. Historically, Mummery has influenced customs and perpetuated many interesting traditions. The use of masks and different costumes were carried over from the Greek celebrations of King Momus, the Italian-feast of saturnalia, and the British Mummery Play. All of these cultures passed along their traditions from generation to generation, and eventually these traditions were brought to America by immigrants. The tradition of Philadelphia Mummery started in the late 17th century as a continuation of the Old World customs of ushering in the New Year. Mummery in America is as unique to Philadelphia as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. The symbols of the Philadelphia Mummers include musical instruments, moons, hearts, diamonds, stars, weaponry, as well as silhouetted faces. Many of these symbols have been incorporated into this circa 1890 folk art Mummer's quilt. Beautifully pieced wool and wool challis fabrics in solids, plaids and floral prints comprise this large, very decorative piece of Philadelphia history. The symbols themselves are cut from solid felted wool and the fine wool embroidery used throughout is both precise and exuberant in color and style. A 4 ½" double border in two shades of tan wool challis frames the inner design and has intricate embellishment along the entire border seam on four sides. The backing is a brown, red and yellow small scale plaid cotton with a 5/8" applied brown wool challis binding. In excellent condition this quilt is a rare find. Our quilts are always sent on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8302 Victorian Crazy Quilt with Hand Painted American Flag c.1885 38 x 54 New England $3,900 The 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition was a big event in Victorian society. One of the most popular exhibits was the Japanese pavilion with its fascinating crazed ceramics and asymmetrical art. During the height of the Victorian era, homes could not have enough embellishment. Early quilts made in the crazy quilt style were show pieces, often made as lap robes or to decorate the parlor. The culture of the times was full of symbolism, poetry and romance. Crazy quilting allowed women to display their artistic abilities in needlework, oil painting, and arrangement of embellishments. Silks, silk velvets, wools and chenille fabrics, along with silk, cotton, wool and chenille threads of every color, were used to incorporate names, dates, pictures, and a wide assortment of symbols. Although crazy style quilts may appear haphazard they were carefully planned. This wonderful and patriotic Victorian crazy quilt is beautifully embellished with original oil paintings. Of primary importance is the American flag with 30 stars. Other oil paintings include a woman surrounded by daisies, a basket filled with flowers, a dog leaning over a fence, a log cabin, and a floral bouquet with "love" on the ribbon. The dense embroidered embellishment is in all different colors of cotton twist and fills the interiors of the silks as well as the seams. This exquisite and diminutive crazy quilt is comprised of c.1850's - c.1880's silks. The quilt has a yellow backing and is reverse tied with ribbon bows. This work of art is in fabulous condition. All of our quilts can be sent to you on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8563 Wool Victorian Crazy Quilt with Embroidered Animals Dated 1906 43 x 55 possibly New York $3,900 This is a rare and wonderful piece of folk art in its original youth bed size. A wide variety of wool and wool challis fabrics have been assembled into a crazy quilt, with every seam embellished in fancy hand stitching. Absolutely packed with embroidered pictures of birds, butterflies, fruit, flowers, chickens, along with a cow, dog, and a horse. The most historically intriguing animal is the elephant labeled “Jumbo” on its side. Circus showman P.T. Barnum marketed Jumbo heavily in the 1880’s, so it would be a reasonable possibility that this quilt was made by someone who remembered Jumbo or perhaps included the elephant because it was in one of the child’s favorite books. Finished with a ½ inch separately applied black binding embellished with a double herringbone stitch, backed with red flannel, and reverse tied with black yarn. The perfect size for hanging, this quilt retains all of its positive energy! Please ask Betsey for more details. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8650 Victorian Windowpane Crazy Quilt Dated Feb 5, 1888 54 x 62 Maine or New Hampshire $2800 An elegant Windowpane Crazy Quilt in excellent condition! Dated Feb 5, 1888 this sophisticated quilt has a gorgeous 1 ¼” black silk velvet sashing separating the 7 ½” crazy blocks that brings a sense of order and refinement to this piece. It is comprised entirely of silk and silk velvets in solids, taffetas, and sateens, with ribbons and brocades in multiple and intricate patterns. Lovely silk embellishments within each block and surrounding the windowpanes completes this special quilt. Gold silk pom-poms are used for the unique front ties and add a further bit of flair to this showy piece of textile art. A four inch black border in the same silk velvet as used for the sashing frames the multi paned “window” and a half inch ivory ribbed silk binding surrounds the whole. As you might expect in a piece of this quality, it has been backed with a stunning quilted celadon green silk fabric. This beautiful and very elegant piece of textile art would add a touch of warmth and vitality to any room in your home. Quilts are always sent on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8647 Emily’s Cotton Crazy Quilt Dated August 15, 1898 52 x 76 MA $2400 Once in a while Betsey discovers a quilt that touches her heart in an extra special way. One of her rules before acquiring a piece to offer her clients is that she herself could appreciate and enjoy it in her own home. This is a youth bed size treasure she found in Massachusetts and it was love at first sight. It is seldom one will find a quilt made by a young girl. Emily has embroidered the artwork with her first name and finishing date. An extremely sweet and whimsical piece of folk art, this quilt is filled to overflowing with a sampler of early patterns including Extended 9 Patch, Log Cabin, Diamond in a Square, Bricks, 6 Pointed Star, Triangles, Postage Stamp, and Railroad which she then arranged in her own special Crazy Quilt design. Pieces of all shapes and sizes can be found as well as a multitude of colors in fabrics dating from the 1870’s into the 1890’s. Rich browns, tans and taupes mingle with reds, double pinks, maroon, indigos, and chambray in plaids, stripes, calicoes, florals and solids to create a piece both interesting and unique. Emily backed her creation in solid red cotton with no batting between and treadle machine quilted in parallel lines every four inches (the quilting is barely noticeable). The finishing touch is a top stitched pillowcase edging on all four sides. Was this a practice first piece, a sampler of patterns for Emily or did she just have a whimsical and lively design sense? Betsey can only imagine Emily's thoughts. This folk art masterpiece is a true collector’s quilt. We are happy to send this quilt, which has been professionally hand washed by Betsey, on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8587 Upholstery Fabric Crazy Quilt c.1915 62 x 72 New England, believed to be from New Hampshire $2,600 One of Betsey’s favorites!! A fabulous crazy quilt created from unused upholstery remnants in the much sought after color palette of browns, taupes, and creams. Soft and plush, the nap of these fabrics give such a feeling of dimension and warmth; it just begs to be touched! It has been backed with brown cotton dress lining, reverse tied with brown yarn, and bound with a ½ inch separately applied brown cotton binding. The subtle graphics of this quilt combined with its tactile appeal make it the perfect choice for wall art or to be used on a bed or couch. Professionally cleaned and ready for your enjoyment! Please ask Betsey for more details. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8588 American Flag Center Medallion Folk Art Signature Crazy Quilt dated 1912 90 x 88 Ohio $7,600 A fabulous wool folk art quilt containing so many exceptionally intriguing historic clues! Wool, wool challis, and silk faille were used to create this piece, along with a limited amount of silk and cotton velveteen. Constructed in a crazy quilt block formation, and believed to have been stitched by members of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The center medallion block contains much to hint at the quilt’s original purpose. A large American flag with the heading “In God We Trust” has been embroidered at the top, with a smaller triangular flag inscribed with “Agoma” appliqued below. The city of Agoma is located in Nigeria, which invites speculation about the relationship between the congregation and this west African city. The center medallion block is unmistakably patriotic, and includes names of six veterans and their military units scattered across the block, along with the date of 1912. Three of the six names have been confirmed with the U.S. Army Military History Institute as Ohio veterans of the Civil War, and honoring these six surviving veterans in 1912 would have been most appropriate. The pastor of the church, J.F.McDonnell, and his wife (Mrs. J.F.) and perhaps child (F.M.) were also included under the letters “P.S.” The surrounding crazy quilt blocks have been embellished with embroidered signatures, most likely the members of the congregation, with many “family” blocks. Biblical verses have also been included across the body of the quilt, such as Psalm 23, Isaiah 55:6, and the first line of the Lord’s Prayer. Interestingly, some of the blocks have all the letter “s” stitched in the conventional orientation, while some have the “s” letters stitched backward. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the person(s) embroidering those particular blocks chose to ignore the correctly penciled “s” letters in favor of her own personal writing style! The quilt was finished by tying in various shades of pearl cotton, with some of the ties made with two colors twisted together. The backing is an iron grey-green cotton sateen, and the ½ inch binding is turned from the back to the front. All seams have been embellished in multiple colors with various decorative stitches such as herringbone, fly, feather, and cross stitch. In excellent condition! |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q7043 Cotton and Flannel Crazy Quilt c.1885 80 x 80 Delaware $1,600 Such a wonderful unused quilt, full of blues, burgundies and greens…what fun for a boy’s room! Sixteen large blocks were constructed from a wide variety of cotton and flannels in calico, plaids, and stripes in a crazy quilt formation. The 5 inch deep brown plaid border frames the quilt perfectly, and has been turned over to the back to create a ¾ inch binding. The backing is a soft grey flannel, divided by a bar of grey plaid down the center. The quilt is reverse tied with grey Pearl cotton twist, and ready to hang as wall art with two black cotton sleeves already applied. However, it is so warm and inviting, you might not be able to resist using it on your bed! Professionally hand washed by Betsey; please ask her for more details. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Betsey's Collection Victorian Crazy Quilt Pillow Sham c.1885 27 x 27 (measurements include a 4 ¼ inch ruffle) Massachusetts $950 In perfect and original condition, this pillow sham was made by Ada Cozzins, and contains a fantastic collection of silks and silk ribbons. Every seam has been skillfully embellished with a variety of soft colors in Pearl cotton, using feather, fly, double herringbone, buttonhole, and outline stitches. The center block has been further embellished with a nosegay of rose flowers with yellow-green stems and leaves. The backing and ruffle were made from a high thread count orange polished cotton. Please note that for photographic purposes only, this sham was fastened to a white background sheet using long pins, which are visible in the photograph along the top ruffle. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8489 Signed and Dated Folk Art Crazy Quilt Dated 1934 80 x 80 Berks County, Pennsylvania SOLD In unused condition, this lively folk art crazy quilt is a wonderful mix of silk and cotton velvets with a few corduroy fabrics thrown in for fun. Hand embellished with a wide variety of surface stitches in both cotton floss and Pearl cotton in a range of colors, some created by twisting multiple colors of floss together. This quilt holds the history of its origin through the many names chain stitched in cursive and capital block letters, along with the date of 1930. Mrs. Slick, Verna Hoover, Gertie Schnably, Rose Weaver…we can just imagine these friends! The backing is gold drapery fabric, and has been turned over to the front to form a ½ inch binding. Totally hand pieced and embellished, and tied with gold Pearl cotton. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8299 Folk Art Center Medallion Crazy Quilt c.1920 84 x 88 Pennsylvania $1,400 Fun and folky, this unused cotton center medallion crazy quilt is full of wonderful fabrics in shades of blue, green, yellow, pink, red, and burgundy. Made to be a summer coverlet, this quilt was foundation pieced onto an ecru cotton backing with a combination of hand piecing and hand appliqué. The 3/8 inch separately applied binding is a black and grey leafy calico. The center medallion sunburst has been formed from spokes of solid red and peachy orange alternating with a pink and green bubble print. Betsey believes this quilt could possibly be of African American origin. Professionally hand washed by Betsey and ready for your use! |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8179 African American Cotton Crazy Quilt – Memorial Quilt c.1890 70 x 75 Tennessee SOLD In the south, it was customary to remember loved ones by making a memorial quilt. Clothing worn by both the deceased and the family members would be pieced together and quilted, providing comfort to relatives and friends during and after the quilting process. In excellent condition, this quilt contains fabrics mostly from the 1880’s, all carefully hand pieced. Dark navy thread was used to hand quilt the entire piece in an overlapping fan pattern. The backing is a light tan cotton, and the 3/8 inch binding was formed by turning the backing over to the front and topstitching into place. Betsey was able to authenticate this quilt’s origin by family provenance. This information will be provided to the buyer. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8213 Folk Art Upholstery Velvet Crazy Quilt c.1890 72 x 74 York County, Pennsylvania $2,900 A sumptuous velvet quilt in all the most sought after designer colors of deep greens, madder dyed reds and rusts, taupes and beige. The floral, solid, and striped velvet upholstery pieces have been surface embellished along their edges with feather, herringbone, and various other Crazy quilt stitches in gold pearl cotton. The 4 ½ inch lavender cotton sateen border has been turned over from the back and embroidered with gold feather stitching and woven spiderwebs. The quilt has been reverse tied and embellished at the point of tying with woven spiderwebs on the backing. This textile is in perfect, unused condition and ready for your enjoyment. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8104-2 Silk Victorian Crazy Quilt c. 1887 54 x 62 New Hampshire SOLD This beautifully executed crazy quilt is signed “Carrie Longenhan” and is all original. It is comprised of silks in a full array of colors, and it has a burgundy flannel backing and a ½” blue ribbon binding. Most striking is the center medallion which shows a tree with butterflies. In excellent condition. |
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Rocky Mountain Quilts
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Payment Methods: Rocky Mountain Quilts gladly accepts cash, checks, Visa, Master Card and American Express. Bank wire transfers are an easy method of payment for both domestic and international sales. If you are traveling, we will be happy to ship your purchases via UPS or FedEx at your convenience. |
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| Contact Us | ||
| Telephone - for orders or questions - 1-800-762-5940 or 1-207-363-6800 Email - betsey@rockymountainquilts.com Shipping UPS/FedEx address - 130 York Street York Village, Maine 03909 |
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| Link To Top Of Quilts |