Collections record Beta

Quilt - "The Constitution Quilt"

1909-02-8

Appliqued and quilted coverlet cut out at two corners for a 4 poster bed. Central panel appliqued in Maltese cross form using palmetto print cotton worked in a honeycomb octagonal patches appliqued on a floral chintz in madder colors on a yellow ground having roses, marigolds and exotic flora with palmette leaves. Four small calicos are used for the star. A yellow background printed in blue making a green leaf and dot pattern (this pattern forms arms and surrounds medallions in center and at ends of arms) These are worked from two resist patterns a sepia and pink on white with the dark color predominating and another in the same colors predominately pink with darker dots and light areas. A rosebud probably from a floral trail design on a white ground is used as the center for two of the medallions. The center square is encircled by alternating bands of an Indienne polychrome shawl pattern on a white ground and a floral trails design printed in madder colors on a brown ground. The border print is an arborescent rosebush in tan, rose and blue on a white ground. The end is bound in madras gingham. All of the materials are English block printed fabric dating to between 1790 and 1810. Backing of quilt is white homespun linen. Quilting done in diagonal lines or herringbone pattern. Label on back of quilt written in ink "Quilted by Mrs. Canfield and Mrs. Tallmadge/about 1824 - center pieced by them - The calico with rosebuds from dresses of Mrs. T. and Mrs. Flewelling about 1810/The above were stateroom curtains of Benjamin Tallmadge on frigate "Constitution" The bordering was from the dresses."

Outermost border of fabric from the stateroom curtains of Benjamin Tallmadge, Jr. from his service on board the USS Constitution. Brown with rose pattern cotton from the dresses of Mrs. F. A. Tallmadge and her sister, Mrs. Flewelling.

• Tallmadge, Elizabeth Canfield, 1792-1869

ca. 1824

79 1/2" x 89"

• cotton