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Quilt
Quilt
Quilt

Quilt

PeriodCirca 18115-1830
Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumGlazed cotton chintz, plain weave cotton
Dimensions71.25 × 66.5 in. (181 × 168.9 cm)
ClassificationsQuilts and Coverlets
Credit LineGift of Mrs. George W. Manson, 1974
Object numberT1974.50
DescriptionAn unfinished "Broderie Perse/Tree of Life" quilt, with portions of a glazed chintz fabric in shades of blue, red, green, and yellow depicting pheasants, palmetto trees, large floral bunches, and vines, with raw edged turned under and stitched to a plain white cotton ground fabric with small blind stitches. The quilt is unfinished, with the raw edges visible.
Curatorial RemarksThis quilt is an example of the Broderie Perse applique tradition. Colorful printed and glazed cotton chintzes were imported from India to Great Britain and France in the late 17th century and early 18th century to such an extent that English and French textile workers demanded prohibitions on the import of such textiles as it seriously impacted the sale of European textiles. The next decades saw cutbacks on the importation of these popular printed cottons. As a result, the small amount of printed cottons that did find its way to Europe, and the American colonies, was carefully used or saved. The Broderie Perse quilt practice was one way to extend a small yardage of fabric. Elements such as flowers, trees, birds, and other motifs were carefully cut and often pieced, attached either with basting or (as some references suggest) a type of early fabric glue to fix the motifs onto a plain background. The raw edges of the cutouts were turned under, then blind stitched in place. Finished Broderie Perse quilts often incude elaborate and extensive quilting patterns of feathers, vines, and other patterns echoing the complexity of the chintz designs. This is an interesting, yet slightly awkward attempt by the unknown maker. In some areas, particularly the upper right corner, seem to indicate that the seamstress ran out of full motifs and tried to cobble together scraps to match the other trees and floral elements.NotesThis quilt's maker and origin are mysterious. The unfinished "Broderie Perse" style applique panel entered the collection with a slip of paper noting "John R. Rose / Sussex Co., NJ / Born Mar 5 1826." Research has identified a John R. Rose, born on March 5, 1826, in Roseville, Sussex County, New Jersey, to Jacob Rose (?-before 1840) and an unidentified mother. Rose married Ellen Chamberlain (1829-1904) in around 1845, and the couple had at least one child, daughter Cornelia, born in 1850. A search for connections between donor Elizabeth Reid (Mrs. George W.) Manson (1880-1961) has currently proved elusive. The Rose family appears to have stayed in Sussex County, while the Manson/Reid family has ties to Monmouth County. It is also possible that Mrs. Manson received the quilt from a family friend or distant relative.
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