| Victorian Crazy Quilts |
| Click on the pictures below to see more views of my Antique Victorian Crazy Quilts. Shading is due to lighting, not representative of the quilt. Please call for the availability or any questions. |
| About Victorian 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. Q8837 Turquoise Silk Velvet Crazy Quilt c.1885 54 x 96 MA $5,900 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. Many historians believe the origin of the Victorian Crazy Quilt was inspired by the majestic Japanese screens seen for the first time at the exposition. During the height of the Victorian era, homes seemingly could never have enough embellishment. Early quilts made in the crazy quilt style were show pieces, often made to decorate the parlor. The culture of the times was full of symbolism, poetry and romance. Crazy quilts 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, gold metallic 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 gorgeous example has a magnificent border of hand painted flowers on turquoise silk velvet (see detail image). The dense embroidered embellishment is in all different colors of silk twist and fills the interiors of the silks as well as the seams. This exquisite crazy quilt is comprised of c.1870’s - c.1880’s silks and silk velvet. This stunning showpiece is in amazing condition and can be shipped to your home on approval for private viewing in your home. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. CON LT1 Wool & Velvet Victorian Crazy Quilt Dated 1901 70 x 70 Found in NH $2,400 This wonderful Victorian Crazy Quilt, dated 1901, is comprised of a variety of wools and silk velvets in a warm and vibrant color palette. It contains a wide variety of silk floss embroidery and embellishments in a pleasing array of colors and motifs. A center medallion block featuring a heavily embroidered fan has a menorah embroidered at its base. Above the center medallion is a large five pointed star with an embroidered date of 1901. Surrounding blocks have focal points of detailed embroidery including a 9 inch peacock feather, silk chenille flower sprays, hanging pear with leaves, horse shoe with flowers, large owl, girl brushing her hair, horse head, and rooster crowing at the sun, to name just a few. Each crazy quilt block measures approximately 23 inches square with blocks set in a 3 x 3 array. A variety of wools and silk velvets, with a few upholstery fabrics and cotton flannels, in warm and vibrant tones of deep burgundy and red, mustard, russet, black, blue, gray and green form the background for the exuberant and often whimsical embroidered motifs. The backing is polished cotton in solid rose with some fade in areas. A pillowcase edge finishes the quilt with some slight overlapping on the bottom edge (see image above). In wonderful condition, please ask Betsey for more details on this quilt. A piece of original artwork in a gorgeous palette and handwork filled with artistry and skill that is ready to grace any room in your home. Please ask us about viewing this quilt on approval in the privacy of your home. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8797 Silk Crazy Quilt with Brick Border c.1885 60 x 76 NY $3,600 A fabulous concoction in jewel toned silks, this antique Crazy Quilt shimmers beautifully in the light. A myriad of silks, mostly solids with some intriguing stripes added for special interest, vary in size from 2 inches to 12 in a variety of geometric shapes. The viewer’s eye is truly focused on the gorgeous array of color and form due to the use of herringbone seam embellishment only. The expanse of solid and striped silks becomes, like pieces in a stained glass window, the focal point of this lovely work of art. Surrounding the inner design is a 1 1/2 inch wide brick border comprised of various silks used in the interior design forming a lovely frame. The inner seam is embellished with embroidered silk stars. A 1/4 inch hand applied wine silk binding finishes the edge. The backing on this quilt is a medium blue cotton twill. A lovely silk Crazy Quilt in a perfect size for a wall hanging in that special room. Please ask Betsey for more details and to see this quilt on approval in your home. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q7043 Cotton Flannel Abstract Quilt c.1885 80 x 80 DE $1,600 Such a phenomenal, early, unused quilt, full of abstract shapes in a wide palette of hues. Sixteen large blocks were constructed from a wide variety of cotton and flannels in calico, plaids, and stripes in an abstract 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. This early quilt is as comfortable in an antique setting as it would be hanging as the central focus in a contemporary, abstract inspired home. The backing is a soft gray flannel, divided by a bar of gray plaid down the center. The quilt is reverse tied with gray 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 antique or ultra modern bed. This quilt has been professionally hand washed by Betsey and can be shipped to you for viewing on approval in the privacy of your home. |
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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 $1,900 This incredible unused cotton center medallion crazy quilt is full of wonderful fabrics in shades of blue, orange, yellow, black, and burgundy. Made to be a summer coverlet it contains no batting and was foundation pieced onto an ecru cotton backing with a combination of hand piecing and hand appliqué. This quilt contains a feast of shapes large and small, angular and curvaceous most of which are not repeated more than once. Very lyrical in feel, the one anchor point in this unique folk art piece is the center medallion. This sunburst medallion has been formed from spokes of solid red and orange and backlit with softer shades in green and pink calico. It radiates out toward a very energetic and ever changing ‘sky’. The 3/8 inch separately applied binding is a black and grey leafy calico. Professionally hand washed by Betsey this unused quilt would be fabulous on bed or wall and can be sent to you on approval for viewing in the privacy of your home. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8302 Silk Victorian Crazy Quilt with American Flag c.1885 38 x 54 New England $4,300 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. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8760 Folk Art Wool Challis Crazy Quilt Dated 1893 68 x 68 Wykoff, NJ $4,900 A fabulous wool folk art crazy quilt with a myriad of interesting and unique symbols, floral embroideries and other embellishments that brings to mind thoughts of joy and a zest for living. Mostly solid wool challis fabrics combine in a gorgeous palette of reds, blues, russet, olives, browns, orange, purple, black and ecru to form the ground of this wonderful folk art piece. The artist used this as a canvas onto which she embroidered large scale whimsical and traditional designs using a variety of stitch patterns and colors of wool yarns in bright, warm hues. Central to the quilt’s design is a black challis block containing the date of creation and maker’s age residing next to eyeglasses, a crescent moon with face, and amorphous shapes with opulent embroidery both large and colorful. The backing of this quilt is its own cotton patchwork quilt top, in this case used as a fabulous backing done in reds, blue and cream in mid and large scale calicoes and solids. Reverse tied with black wool yarn this quilt also has a pillowcase edging. Black wool yarn is used as a decorative running stitch embellishment, making the perfect finish for the outside edges. A certain naivité and joie de vivre combine to make this quilt a great choice as a focal point in any room. Folk art whimsy at its best, this is a wonderful and unique quilt that can be sent to you to review in your home on approval before purchase. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8764 Folk Art Cotton Crazy Quilt c.1880 72 x 84 Chester County, PA $3,400 A wonderful array of cotton fabrics can be found in this whimsical piece of early folk art. A Crazy Quilt that is filled with a sampler of early patterns including Fans, Jacobs Ladder, Four Patch, Triangles, Postage Stamp, Broken Dishes and Railroad which the maker arranged in her own special Crazy Quilt design. Pieces of all shapes, sizes, and colors can be found in fabrics dating from the 1870’s and earlier. 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. Hand quilting on this beautiful quilt includes outline, echo outline, parallel lines, and cross hatch. The backing fabric is a gorgeous pattern of fan-like flowers on a loose checkerboard pattern in light olive, taupe and ecru. The 3/8 inch wide hand applied binding is in a lovely taupe red, white and light brown whimsical floral cotton. Beautifully hand made this quilt is for the lover of early fabrics looking to add a happy, free spirited and well crafted piece of early American folk art to their collection. Perfect for either a bed or hung as art on your wall this is a true original. We are happy to send this quilt, which has been professionally hand washed by Betsey, to your home for review before purchase. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8810 Silk Velvet Crazy Quilt with Deep Green Border c.1885 60 x 62 Found in MA $3,600 A sumptuous velvet quilt in glorious rich hues of deep greens, multiple shades of burgundy and wine, dark blues, taupes, golds and grays. Comprised of solid colored silk velvets that are richly embroidered with a rainbow of gorgeous colored silk flosses in a wide array of embroidery designs. Chief among the many embroidered motifs are various shapes and colors of delicate and detailed snowflakes that bring to mind winter holidays and good cheer. The creator of this fine piece had a love for color and detailed stitches - and wasn’t afraid to show it! Extremely soft, warm and cozy this antique treasure has a 2 inch wide deep green silk velvet border that has colorful silk embellishments at each corner. The backing is a lovely paisley cotton in soft green and russet on a cream ground. A pillowcase edge provides a lovely, clean finish. This is a beautifully embroidered Victorian silk velvet Crazy Quilt that would enhance any room in your home with its warm and rich color and design. In excellent condition, this quilt can be sent to you on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8771 Victorian Silk Crazy Quilt with Burgundy Velvet Border c.1885 63 x 64 PA $2,200 A lovely example of the Victorian Silk Crazy Quilt whose design is reminiscent of a stained glass window. Each block, or window pane, measures approximately 9 ¼” x 9 ¼” and is filled with solid and patterned silks and silk velvets in clear, bright colors. Finely executed embellishment stitching in various hues of silk floss cover every seam in every possible variation of stitch design. Interior embellishment designs include rings, floral patterns, chains, fruits, and the initial “L” - we presume for the maker. This lovely quilt is designed in a 6 x 6 array of window panes which gives a nice sense of order within the crazy cutting of the silks. Framing the interior design is a lush, burgundy silk velvet border 3 ½” wide. The backing is a stunning quilted burgundy silk which is pillowcase edged by hand to the front design for an elegant finish. A beautiful, silk velvet creation that would be gorgeous as artwork on a wall or as an accent piece in any room. Remember, our quilts are always sent on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8759 Victorian Silk Velvet Crazy Quilt c.1885 74 x 74 Chester County, PA $2,500 A gorgeous silk velvet crazy quilt in excellent condition! Both soft and warm, with an amazingly sophisticated feel, this Victorian quilt has a wonderful mix of jewel toned silk velvets which are completely hand embellished in a variation of the double coral stitch using silk floss, and top tied with multi colored silk and cotton flosses. Four main blocks filled with pieces ranging from a tiny ½ x 1 to 13 x 3 inches fill the center of the quilt. Surrounding this is a crazy pieced border approximately 7 inches wide. The backing is a cozy flannel windowpane plaid in brown, green, blue and yellow. The applied 3/8” binding is a soft blue with red stripes cotton flannel. This beautiful and very elegant piece of textile art would add a touch of warmth and vitality to any room in your home. Remember, our quilts are always sent on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8754 Victorian Silk Crazy Quilt c.1885 51 x 58 Lancaster County, PA $4,900 What a wonderful example of Victorian Crazy quilting! It certainly has it all; beautiful silks and silk velvets outlined with every possible Victorian Crazy quilt surface stitch. Gorgeous hues in various textures, patterns and gradations on high quality silks lends and air of effervescence to this early quilt in excellent condition. Thirty carefully planned, pieced and embellished blocks are beautifully framed by a 4 ½” wide burnt orange silk border with a gorgeous sheen. The border is pillowcase edged to a superb burgundy quilted silk backing. This is a wonderful showpiece created by a talented woman well versed in the needle arts of the day. Originally created to showcase the quilter’s artistic sense and skill with a needle it would have been used as a lap robe or to decorate a parlor. A beautiful and very elegant piece of textile art that would add a touch of warmth and vitality to any room in your home. This quilt can be sent to you on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8792 Folk Art Wool Crazy Quilt c.1890 66 x 76 Gouverneur, NY $2,400 A fabulous wool folk art crazy quilt with a myriad of interesting and unique symbols and embellishments straight out of this quilter's imagination. Various solid and patterned worsted wools, challis and wool suiting fabrics combine in a muted palette of olives, browns, wine, black and ecru to form the subtle background. The artist used this as a canvas onto which she embroidered both whimsical and traditional designs using solid and variegated wool yarns in bright, warm hues. Appliques of crocheted wool and bright wool challis in amorphous shapes and geometrics add even more charm. Central to the quilt's design is a block of uniform bricks around which the other fantastical shapes and elements flow. The backing of this quilt is a tan and ecru plaid and is the foundation onto which each piece is stitched. The 3/8" binding is an applied olive green wool challis. Wonderful warmth and movement make this quilt a great choice to use as the focal point in any room. Folk art sophistication and whimsy at its best, this is a wonderful and unique quilt that can be sent to you on approval. |
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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. 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. A whimsical piece of abstract 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? Whatever the motivation we now enjoy a wonderful piece of abstract art made by a young girl over 100 years ago. 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. 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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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 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 FedEx address - 130 York Street York Village, Maine 03909 |
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| Link To Top Of Quilts |