I loved this quilt, made in the mid-eighteenth century, from assorted fabrics, including ribbons. It's completely scrappy, with no apparent design or thought as to the placement of the dominant triangles.
This is much later, about 1930, but definitely my sort of quilt. Lots of the points are chopped off, it's not square and yet so charming. It's a real between-the-wars quilt, made of a mix of dress fabrics and wool suiting fabric. There's love in this quilt.
This coverlet is supposed to have been on Nelson's bed on board the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar.
This quilt was made in about 1857 and has a huge variety of objects and animals applique on it. The two figures near the centre are supposed to be from a statue of a Greek slave - I thought they looked more like women with vacuum cleaners (similar enough I suppose)!
A gorgeous crazy patchwork quilt made in silks and velvets around 1892 - 1895, and appears to have been a collaborative effort.
Isn't this wonderful? It is a portrait of soldier wounded at the Battle of Inkerman in 1854. Soldiers were encouraged to make quilts as both a leisure activity and as occupational therapy.
This is an example of just such a quilt, made around 1863-77. The quilt is bedsized, and made from military wool. The hexagons are no larger than about half an inch! It's a staggering piece of work.
This was made from tailor's broadcloth with silk embroidery, by John Monro, a master tailor, in about 1830-1850. The names of famous men and women is embroidered in the border.
A Welsh quilt from about 1860.
A most beautiful embroidered box from about 1660.
These two wonderful appliques showing rural life are from a quilt dated 1820.
I only wish I'd had time to take more photographs of the older quilts, but I just ran out of time.
Tomorrow, I'll post the last of my photographs, showing some of the modern quilts in the exhibition.
7 comments:
Wow that hexagon quilt is stunning. I can't get over just how small you said the pieces were. I think that is the only thing missing from the tour- an inch ruler for scale! Very remiss of the V+A :-)
Certainly some beautiful works in these quilts...and to thaink how old they are now...wonder if any of our works will be around that long?
It amazes me what was done without our higher tech tools. What patience they must have had. They are all very beautiful.
My favorite is the quilt with all the animals on it.
Those are spectacular quilts. It looks as though you are having a lovely time on your trip.
stunning quilts. Such tiny tiny hexagons, WOW!
WOW!!! Breathtaking quilts!!! Makes me want to jump in a plane and head on over to see the exhibit!!!!
Post a Comment