Located in Barrington, IL
This beautiful hand-stitched quilt, dating to the American Civil War era (circa 1860–1870), originates from the deep South—likely Alabama or Georgia—and stands as a powerful example of African American folk artistry during one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
Crafted from wool and homespun blankets, the quilt features a striking design of diagonally pieced squares composed of repurposed clothing in shades of navy, brown, red, and gray. These textiles are believed to be remnants of garments worn during the Civil War, transformed through necessity and creativity into a work of enduring beauty and cultural significance. The back of the quilt is made from a bold red and gray striped textile, adding a distinctive visual contrast.
Quilts like this—made by African Americans in the Reconstruction-era South—are exceedingly rare and deeply meaningful. They embody both resilience and resourcefulness, and serve as powerful expressions of heritage, survival, and artistic identity.
The attribution was provided by the previous owner, a Civil Rights attorney who practiced in Alabama and maintained an interest in collecting historically significant objects, including items associated with the Civil Rights Movement and the American South. No documentation, provenance records, or third-party authentication have been obtained to verify the quilt's origin beyond the information supplied by the previous owner.
Dimensions: 63” x 73”
Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1800s
Place of Origin: United States
Material: Cotton, wool
Condition: Original condition with some wear throughout
The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 1982
African American Quilts, Southern Quilts, Gee’s Bend Quilts, Alabama Quilts, 19th Century Quilts, African American Art, Antique African American Quilts, Vintage Raising Barn Quilt...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Fabric Folk Art