| Antique Folk Art Quilts |
| Click on the pictures below to see more views of my Antique Folk Art Quilts. Shading is due to lighting, not representative of the quilt. Please call for the availability or any questions. |
| About Antique Folk Art Quilts |
| The American folk art style is present in textiles as well as in home furnishings. Antique folk art quilts are wonderfully graphic, naïve pieces of totally original textile art. Sometimes these antique quilts were created by adapting a known pattern in order to free it from its more rigid structure. Appliqued or pieced folk art quilts have unusual configurations of piecing and/or unusual choices of colors and fabrics. A folk art quilt might be embellished with embroidered drawings or paintings, depicting the life of the quilter, such as children’s handprints, houses, farms, or local plants and animals. An antique folk art quilt was usually made from cotton or wool, but very rarely a silk folk art piece will emerge. In these rare cases, a woman might have worked for an affluent family and been given silk scraps for her own use. True folk art quilts were made to be used, not displayed. Fortunately, many have survived because they were washed infrequently or not at all, and especially not washed in a machine. We are indeed fortunate that the washing machine was not commercially available until the 1950’s, or many of our treasured antique quilts would have been ruined by pragmatic women just trying to do their housework! |
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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. CON LC 1 Folky Center Medallion with Rare Cheater Cloth c.1890 72 x 72 PA $3,900 This spectacular unused quilt in mint condition is from the late 19th century, but is executed in the early 19th century center medallion format. The center medallion measures 21 inches square and is appliquéd, reverse appliquéd, and pieced in an oak leaf pattern. The oak leaf is created from a pristine over dyed green calico and appliquéd using tiny, precise stitches onto a solid orange ground. Deep red cotton with mini white dots is used for half of the appliquéd wave border, with a gorgeous sea coral and star patterned fabric in greens, black and white for the other half. Quite unique with a definite folk art feel. There are eight rows of various pieced patterns extending out from the center medallion, and these rows are both hand and machine pieced. The fabrics on this piece are unusual! There are three “cheater cloth” fabrics: the fourth and seventh rows from the center are of cheater cloth, and the backing is another cheater cloth in an abstract pattern. Please see detail images. All three are companion fabrics in the same colorway. Additionally, the fabrics on the quilt date from the c.1860’s-90’s. Two rows of 2 inch triangles surround the center medallion in a medley of plaids and prints in colors ranging from deep greens and browns to wines, ecru and black. Two additional 3 1/2 inch wide rows of triangles in chrome yellow and large black on white dots surround the inner cheater cloth border. The outer cheater cloth border is surrounded by 3 1/2 inch wide blocks in multiple prints and hues in strip formation. This unique quilt is hand quilted using dark thread in cross-hatch stitching across the entire quilt. It has a separately applied binding in a gorgeous print of brown, teal, gold and ecru. This quilt is in mint condition, and is an incredible graphic piece of art for wall or bed. Please contact us if you’d like to see this quilt in your home on approval. We’re happy to ship it to you. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. CON PD6 Abstract Cobweb/Pinwheel c.1950 75 x 75 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania $3,900 A totally unique quilt, the creator of this piece took conventional patterns and turned them into a piece of abstract art with incredible movement. The logs have been pieced into abstract pinwheels from a cotton conversation print featuring hats and umbrellas on a black background. Bright pops of yellow, pink, blue, and a multicolored stripe have been placed in the arrangement to give the overall feeling of a cobweb pattern. Various bright feedsack prints have been pieced together to form the backing, and finished with a 1 ¼ inch separately applied yellow calico feedsack binding. In used but excellent condition, and tied with black cording. Subtle and sophisticated, with a visual jazz impact! Professionally hand washed by Betsey and ready to send to you on approval. |
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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. 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. Q8761 Amish Wool Stumpwork Starflowers with Triple Border 1900-1915 65 x 70 Lancaster, Pennsylvania $2,400 A fabulous opportunity to acquire a great piece of Amish folk art! In excellent condition, this quilt was constructed from approximately 6 x 6 inch blocks of wool. Bright, thickly tufted stumpwork starflowers are 4 1/2 inches across and made from assorted multicolored and variegated yarns. The quilt is surrounded by a triple border of red and black fine wools, and all seams have been herringbone embellished with variegated and solid yarns in a variety of colors. This beautiful quilt has been hand quilted rather than tied, with herringbone stitching in the triple border, and large cross hatch stitching around the stumpwork starflowers. The binding is formed by the outermost red wool border fabric folding over to the back side and being hand stitched down. The backing is a lovely blue clover weave over olive brown wool. A beautiful and very graphic piece of Amish folk art for your wall. Remember, all of our quilts are sent on approval. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8715 Folk Art Flower and Basket c.1850 74 x 82 Pennsylvania $4,900 All hand pieced, appliqued and quilted, this quilt is a unique and skillfully made piece of textile folk art. Comprised entirely of solid hues of cotton in Turkey red, over dyed green, and mustard on a white ground. Pieced baskets comprised of green and mustard triangles are 3 ½" high and 7 ¼" wide and hold funky appliqued flower stems with buds of red and green. Precise appliqué stitches are so small they are hard to detect. Framing the quilt are six one inch borders in alternating colors of green, mustard, red and white. The combination of precise piecing with the completely original folk art design gives this quilt a whimsical yet sophisticated feel. Wonderful triple line quilting in ¼" parallel lines is skillfully stitched by hand throughout. The backing is a fine white cotton and the separately applied hand stitched ¼" binding is in Turkey red. The excellent condition and stunning graphics of this mid 19th century folk art quilt make it equally wonderful art for either bed or wall. Professionally hand washed by Betsey this quilt is ready to be sent to you on approval. Please ask Betsey for more details. |
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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. Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q8269 Early Trapunto & Stippled Oak Leaf c. 1835 74 x 82 NY $3,400 A beautiful work of art to add to yours or a loved one’s collection…and just in time for the holidays! Like anything of true quality this quilt has only improved with age. The classic oak leaf pattern in Turkey red calico and solid overdyed green has softly mellowed with time and retains the beauty we look for in a traditional and very early red and green piece. The quilt’s softness tells us it was used, its excellent condition that it was cared for lovingly. The work is finely executed and includes both hand appliqued and pieced fabrics with incredible Trapunto wreaths and fruit baskets set among the Turkey red and green oak leaves– please look at the detail images! Two sawtooth borders, one red and one green, surround a white 6 ½ inch border with lovely quilting consisting of ¾ inch bars each separated by three diagonal lines 1/8 inch apart. Very fine interior quilting gives a beautiful stippling effect. The quilt is finished with a white linen backing and a separately applied ¼ inch white binding. This is a piece any collector of fine textile art would treasure. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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Please view the detail photos (click image above) for more accurate colors. Q8406 Unique Folk Art Prince's Feather c.1850 82 x 84 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania $3,400 What a fabulously festive summer weight quilt in madder dyed red, cheddar, and confederate blue! Four blocks of Prince's Feather applique reminds Betsey of a court jester's hat, and the border swags a circus tent. Confederate blue maple leaves have been scattered across the body of the quilt, and groups of four leaves anchor each corner. All hand appliqued and double line quilted with tiny stitches, with binding applied by treadle sewing machine. This would have been a subtle method of announcing wealth in the days before the sewing machine was readily available to the general public. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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Rocky Mountain Quilts
Shop Hours |
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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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