I believe this original design, mostly rayon, hooked rug is African American and created to remember the massacres of the "Red Summer" race riots of 1919. During that summer there were nunerous race riots that began with the Chicage riot caused by an African American boy swimming at a "white only" beach. During that summer there were hundreds of African Americans killed, in various riots, resulting in the name "Red Summer". The bullseye center symbolizes this slaughtering of human life.

Constructed on burlap using rayons, knits and a very few cotton fabrics, to create a graphic and poignantly graphic rare piece of art.

This one of a kind folk art rug has been hanging in my home for many, many years. I have decided it is time to let someone else treasure this art piece in their home.

Please email or call to see this rug, on approval, with free shipping, in the privacy of your home.

This graphically appealing African American quilt is comprised of solids, prints, stripes and plaids in various shapes, sizes and colors. There are traits that distinguish African American quilting in the first half of the 20th century from any other North American quilting style and this quilt is a classic example. The use of vertical piecing, enlarged, very graphic designs, and asymmetry hark back to African cultures and textile style. This wonderful patchwork is comprised of a variety of feedsacks and other cottons from the 1930’s in a great many colors, however, it strikes a patriotic theme with its emphasis on blue, white and red.

The backing is comprised of unbleached feedsack fabric that shows the feed manufacturer’s screen printed name and various plant locations in pale blue. The backing is turned to the front along most of the quilt’s edge and is hand stitched down to form a binding ranging in width from 3 3/4” to 1/4”. A portion of the quilt’s edge has the front turning to the back to form a binding ranging from 1/4” to 1” wide on the back side. Hand quilted with loosely parallel lines using white string.

From an African American family in Texas, this quilt is a wonderful find in excellent condition. Professionally hand washed by Betsey and ready to send to you on approval for viewing in the privacy of your home. This quilt already has sleeves sewn on the back in case you would like to hang it as art on a wall.

This wonderful textile is representative of all we look for in an early to mid twentieth century African American quilt. The vertical piecing, asymmetry and bold, colorful fabrics with the use of intentionally random sized pieces are all traditional elements of African American quilt design and are in abundance in this lovely piece. Plaids, stripes, paisleys, florals and more dance among solid colored fabrics in this uplifting quilt. There are large gentle arcs as well as areas of straight lines of neat and functional quilting throughout.

This special quilt is in wonderful condition. The edges on two sides have been turned over from the back to the front, and pillowcase edged on the remaining two sides. The backing has been formed by piecing feed sacks.

This great find is now ready to display as art for your bed or wall. Professionally hand washed by Betsey and ready to send to you for viewing in your home on approval.