| Unusual Antique Textiles |
| Click on the pictures below to see more views of my Unusual Finds. Shading is due to lighting, not representative of the quilt. Please call for the availability or any questions. |
| About Unusual Antique Textiles |
| Betsey’s love of antique textiles overflows the limits of our categories! This is where you will find unique pieces that are special enough to offer to you. As with all of our other pieces, these antique textiles are guaranteed for authenticity, condition and age. |

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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q8568 Geese in the Pond Variation c.1885 73 x 76 New England, possibly Maine $2,200 This wonderful quilt in excellent condition is a major piece of art! A fabulous added bonus is the very unusual baseball conversation print fabrics included among the indigoes, shirtings, reds, browns and double pinks. Tiny baseball players in early uniforms run, jump and throw in a few different prints across the quilt. The Geese in the Pond blocks are approximately 5 inches square, and the Diamond in a Square border is about 4 ½ inches wide. Functionally hand quilted with straight lines spaced approximately 1 inch apart. A tiny red and white check cotton was used for the 3/8 inch separately applied binding, and the wholecloth backing is a muted light taupe on beige leaf print cotton. Spring is here, and a new season of baseball beckons! Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q6899 Nine Patch Single Irish Chain Variation from Estate of Civil War Gen. Ellis Spear c.1875 78 x80 Warren, Maine $2,900 What a rare and wonderful opportunity to own a piece of Maine’s Civil War history! Betsey acquired this beautiful quilt in unused condition from the estate of General Ellis Spear, the Civil War officer who fought with the 20th Maine at Gettysburg on Little Round Top. General Spear survived the entire war, witnessed the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, and eventually became the U.S. Commissioner of Patents in Washington, DC. General Spear died at the age of 83 and was buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery. This graphically well-balanced quilt is a skillful combination of Nine Patch, Log Cabin and Single Irish Chain patterns. Each double pink and off white Nine Patch block is approximately 2 ¾ inches square, and framed by logs ranging in width from ¾ to 1 inch wide. Indigo and off-white Nine Patch blocks join the diamond geometric print sashing. The single off white Nine Patch squares are extended throughout the body of the quilt to form a distinctive single Irish Chain. The double border of 1 ¾ inch off-white and diamond geometric print strips perfectly frame the quilt. The ½ inch binding is solid brownish mauve, and the backing is off-white linen. Entirely hand pieced and hand quilted with chevrons in the blocks, hanging diamonds in the sashing, and double lines in border. This quilt has been faintly penciled with “1925 J.G. Cook” on the bottom off-white border, and “Jane McKowen Cook, 1809-1886” on the center sashing blocks. Betsey believes this quilt was started and finished in the 1870’s, and the family information added in 1925. As with much of written history, most women remain anonymous, as is the case with these two Cooks, although we can most likely speculate that Jane McKowen Cook was the quilt’s creator and J.G. Cook was the family member who inherited the quilt in 1925. Professionally hand washed by Betsey; please ask her for more details. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF 28 Indigo and Ecru Cotton Crocheted Coverlet c.1875 (perhaps) approx. 64 x 66 New England $850 In mint condition and silky smooth to the touch, this coverlet was painstakingly hand crocheted with fine cotton crochet thread in deep indigo and ecru. The pattern is a copy of an early 19th century, hand loomed linen overshot coverlet. The body has been worked in a subtle ribbed crochet pattern, and is surrounded by a 1 ¼ inch border of alternating indigo and ecru. The 2 inch fringe is a wonder of patient handwork; knotted and twisted into a complex pattern in the same ecru cotton. Wow! Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail 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 thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF23 “Bambino” Pinto Bean Burlap Bag (Five identical bags available: UF 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) c.1963 approx. 21 x 37 Mingo, Kansas $475 (each) Yes, we know this piece only dates back to the early 1960’s, which is new in Betsey’s world, but isn’t it wonderful? The Bambino Bean company used these 100 pound burlap bags to package pinto beans until Babe Ruth’s estate stopped the use of the Babe’s image. Betsey bought these five bags on one of her trips across the country over 10 years ago, and then forgot about them until she was up above the barn rummaging for treasures. So, whether you are a Red Sox fan, a Yankee fan, or just a fan of the game…one or more of these pieces would be perfect to add to your collection, and would look great on the wall as you cheer on your teams! |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q8517 Homespun Wool and Turkeywork Folk Art Dated November 1886 and initialed RAP 62 x 88 New Hampshire $2,900 What an opportunity to acquire a purely original piece of textile folk art, signed and dated by the artist. In unused condition, two lengths of hand loomed wool homespun were seamed together to form this bedcover. There is a possibility that the wool was hand carded as well. Red, teal green and dark green wool yarn was then used to create the turkeywork embellishments. The designs were arranged in a general four square format, and consist of potted flowering plants and two buildings with four windows in each. We can conjecture on the symbolism of these designs; are the plants folk art Tree of Life symbols? Are the buildings perhaps schoolhouses used as symbols of learning, or perhaps representations of the maker’s home? On three sides of the coverlet, a 1 ½ inch fringe made from same wool yarn as used on the embellishments has been attached with red wool yarn fly stitching. This piece can be used as original art for the wall or a truly original folk art bedcovering for beds up to queen size. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF 20 Paisley Wool Challis Shawl c. 1865 64 x 126 New York $750 Such a sumptuous color palette in this huge wool challie shawl! The wide red, gold and green paisley border frames the deep black center of the shawl, creating a totally usable form of art. The original purpose of this piece was to be worn as a shawl over evening wear, and it still can be used for this same purpose. This rich and sophisticated textile could also become the focal point of any room; gorgeous as a tablecloth or perhaps draped luxuriously over your favorite piece of furniture. Let your creativity be your guide! |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Fragment Broderie Perse Stuffed Pheasant from same 1776 dated quilt approx. 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 NY SOLD This fragment from the above quilt shows a strutting teal and burgundy stuffed pheasant, bound with early turkey red fabric. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Fragment Broderie Perse Runner from same 1776 dated quilt approximately 15 x 49 NY $900 This is a three block fragment from the above quilt, featuring a stuffed pheasant, peacock, and parrot, and would make an excellent runner or wall hanging. For this fragment, we were able to salvage fabric from the original quilt for the binding. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF10 Shaker Confetti Rug c. 1885 28 x 42 Location? $2,800 A rare find from the Shaker community*, this rug is constructed entirely from silk, silk velvet, and silk ribbons. There are even some cigar silk premiums adding their own flash of gold to the kaleidoscope of color sparkling across the black background. The backing is hand crocheted cotton, giving the rug a bit of stretch. What a fabulous piece! *Note: While Betsey is not an expert on Shaker items, she has learned abut this rug from books and collectors. |
Front of Quilt |
Back of Quilt |
| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. CON MC Whole Cloth French Provence Quilt c. 1880 86 x 90 France $3,900 A beautiful quilt from Provence, this piece has three lovely variations of raspberry and tan print on a cream background. The front is an intricately patterned whole cloth and the back has been pieced with a raspberry border and a center of burgundy toile. Not only is this quilt totally reversible, but it is unusually large and will easily fit today's deeper queen sized mattresses. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Ribbon Pattern Hooked Rug Runner c. 1900 28½ x 132 New England, possibly MA $2,900 A wool runner in fabulous original condition, this piece would be a terrific accent for any room or hall. In addition, if you have a high ceiling, this rug could be a wonderful vertical art piece as well. The months and months of work it would have taken to create this rug is staggering to contemplate! The muted colors are perfect for today’s much sought after color palette. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q8337 Political Donkey Quilt c.1930 65 x 81 found in Maine $3,300 It’s voting time again in America and here is the perfect art piece for family room, office or den that will make any member of the Democratic party smile! In perfect unused condition, this all cotton folk art quilt is quite an unusual find. Until more recent times, one of the few ways women could voice a political statement was to incorporate their views into their needlework. This quilt is one such example of a political woman’s creation. Professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF2 Stars and Stripes Bunting c. WWI or WWII approx. 2 feet x 10 1/2 feet Found in Maine $450 Who needs fireworks? This bunting has explosions of stars to dazzle your eyes for the 4th of July! |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. CON RMW American Flag Bunting c. 1940’s (WWII era) approximately 12 yards (11 full flags) New England $850 Hooray for the red, white and blue! Use this generous length of bunting to decorate your home for the Fourth of July, or any day you feel like saluting! |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. UF1 Matching Set of Girl’s and Doll’s Flannel Nightgowns c.1940 $85 These sweet nighties are sewn out of an adorable flannel print: a tiny pink and white stripe with white kittens, blue mice, and green dots. They are sewn both by machine and by hand, and both have a keyhole and button closure at the back neck. The doll’s nightie has a self-fabric bound neck, and the girl’s nightie has a bias tape turned under neckline. The girl’s nightgown measures 18” from the neckline and the doll’s 8” from the neckline. A wonderful find! |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Q8290 Homespun Hand-Embroidered Blanket c.1860—embroidered c.1880 74”x 96” + fringe Vermont $1800 This woven wool blanket features happy sun and stars designs embroidered in every other square. In blue and white with original darning. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Amish Embroidered Table Runner Dated 1904 Apx. 28”x 40” Lancaster County, Pennsylvania $750 This Amish table runner is embroidered in hearts, diamonds and stylized flowers. In a wonderful size for the wall or for a table when it is not being used. Some wear. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Six Handcrafted Wool Needlepoint Chair Cushions c.1900-1945 All Six for $660 c.1900-1945 is the closest I can date these beautifully executed needlepoint cushions. They are perfect either to use as chair seats, or we can square off and custom finish them as pillows. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. (Black background is not a part of this piece) UF-IOOF Ingrain Woven Carpet with Odd Fellows Symbols c.1890 apx. 62”x66” Found in Pennsylvania $1800 This piece was originally meant to be a carpet—now it’s art for the wall. Comprised of just two colors, red and black, this carpet is rich with the symbols of the International Order of Odd Fellows. The IOOF was officially founded in Baltimore in 1819 with the charge to “visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan”. This fraternal organization, and later its sister organization for women, the Rebekahs, have gone on to perform many kinds of charitable work, including establishing cemeteries and orphanages. Symbolic of the “Three Link Fraternity”—friendship, love and truth, are the linked rings with the letters F,L, and T inside. A heart in hand symbolizes charity. The staff on an open book symbolizes the authority of the word of God, and the all-seeing eye represents an ever-present God. A sheaf of arrows represents the weapons of a war against vice. A tent symbolizes an encampment (the three superior degrees of the IOOF are called encampment degrees). Among symbols of the Rebekahs specifically are the beehive, representing the results of a united effort; the dove, representing living peaceably; and the moon and seven stars, representing the value of regularity in work. The broken column, as seen in the middle of this piece, was a Victorian symbol of untimely death or the loss of the head of a household—we have not been able to find evidence that this is a more specific Odd Fellows symbol. However, one may speculate that the prominent use of the broken column on this piece is related to the death of the man regarded to be the founder of the Rebekahs, politician Schuyler Colfax, in 1885. This incredible piece of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs memorabilia is in excellent condition and has been professionally hand washed by Betsey. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. Irises Crewel Work on Silk Velvet c.1885 23 ¼” with ½” selvage each side x 25 ½” long $700 The selvage edge on this crewel work proves the early date of this silk velvet. This piece is in fabulous condition and would make a wonderful pillow, wall hanging or center medallion of a crazy quilt. |
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| Please view the detail photos (click thumbnail above) for more accurate colors. White wool blanket w/blue stripes c.1935 apx. 84”x 99” England $400 This woolen blanket is labeled with the original label; manufactured by Whitney Blankets in England. Professionally washed and in unused condition. |
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| 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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