Circa: 1880s–1900s
Size: 77”x77”
Pattern: Triple Irish Chain
Construction: Hand pieced & hand quilted
Fabrics: Solid cottons in maroon/purple, soft green, natural white
Description
Hand pieced and hand quilted, this striking Triple Irish Chain quilt is built from a restrained palette of deep burgundy, faded aqua-green, dark indigo and creamy white. Hundreds of small squares form intricate interlocking chains across the surface, opening into large white blocks filled with decorative hand quilting. The limited color palette gives the quilt a wonderfully graphic quality, while subtle fading, irregularities and visible handwork preserve the warmth of its handmade origins. A pieced burgundy-and-white triangle border beautifully frames the more complex geometry of the center.
Historical Period
Late Victorian America | c. 1880–1900
The use of solid-colored cottons, strong geometric piecing and extensive hand quilting is characteristic of many late 19th-century American quilts. Deep reds and indigo blues were especially enduring colors in quiltmaking, valued for the visual contrast they created against lighter fabrics. The quilt's carefully planned palette and elaborate construction suggest a piece intended to be both useful and visually impressive.
About the Pattern
The Triple Irish Chain is an elaborate member of the Irish Chain family, using repeated rows of small squares to create multiple interlocking diagonal pathways across the quilt. The complexity of the piecing is balanced by large areas of plain white fabric, which provide a canvas for decorative hand quilting. Here, the maker further embellished the design with a striking pieced triangle border, giving the quilt an especially finished and architectural appearance.
Condition
Fair antique condition with significant age-related wear. The quilt shows fading, discoloration and scattered deterioration to the fabrics, including losses within some of the burgundy squares. One area along the reverse/edge has substantial fabric loss and exposed batting, as shown in the photographs. Despite this wear, much of the intricate piecing and hand quilting remains beautifully visible, giving the quilt a wonderfully timeworn character consistent with generations of use.
Circa: 1880s–1900s
Size: 77”x77”
Pattern: Triple Irish Chain
Construction: Hand pieced & hand quilted
Fabrics: Solid cottons in maroon/purple, soft green, natural white
Description
Hand pieced and hand quilted, this striking Triple Irish Chain quilt is built from a restrained palette of deep burgundy, faded aqua-green, dark indigo and creamy white. Hundreds of small squares form intricate interlocking chains across the surface, opening into large white blocks filled with decorative hand quilting. The limited color palette gives the quilt a wonderfully graphic quality, while subtle fading, irregularities and visible handwork preserve the warmth of its handmade origins. A pieced burgundy-and-white triangle border beautifully frames the more complex geometry of the center.
Historical Period
Late Victorian America | c. 1880–1900
The use of solid-colored cottons, strong geometric piecing and extensive hand quilting is characteristic of many late 19th-century American quilts. Deep reds and indigo blues were especially enduring colors in quiltmaking, valued for the visual contrast they created against lighter fabrics. The quilt's carefully planned palette and elaborate construction suggest a piece intended to be both useful and visually impressive.
About the Pattern
The Triple Irish Chain is an elaborate member of the Irish Chain family, using repeated rows of small squares to create multiple interlocking diagonal pathways across the quilt. The complexity of the piecing is balanced by large areas of plain white fabric, which provide a canvas for decorative hand quilting. Here, the maker further embellished the design with a striking pieced triangle border, giving the quilt an especially finished and architectural appearance.
Condition
Fair antique condition with significant age-related wear. The quilt shows fading, discoloration and scattered deterioration to the fabrics, including losses within some of the burgundy squares. One area along the reverse/edge has substantial fabric loss and exposed batting, as shown in the photographs. Despite this wear, much of the intricate piecing and hand quilting remains beautifully visible, giving the quilt a wonderfully timeworn character consistent with generations of use.
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