Medallion Quilt. 1820s. hand pieced cotton; hand quilted; linen backing. Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of Philip S. Van Cise in memory of his wife, Sara Van Cise. 1955.113.

length: 93.25 in, 236.8550 cm; width: 75 in, 190.5000 cm

Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion

Textile Arts and Fashion-European

In the center actor David Garrick (1717–1779) delivers an ode to Shakespeare near the bard’s statue and amid characters from his plays. The border incorporates sections from a different printed cotton illustrating seasonal rural activities. Both fabrics are based on paintings from the 1700s that were also copied as engravings. By cleverly choosing materials with figural designs or that combine bands or stripes, the maker of this quilt creates the impression that there is much patchwork when in fact there is very little.

• "Masterpieces from the Textile Collection" (Inaugural Exhibition), November 15, 1997- April 26, 1998 (DAM)