A FINE PIECED AND APPLIQUED COTTON QUILTED COVERLET

Details

A FINE PIECED AND APPLIQUED COTTON QUILTED COVERLET
ATTRIBUTED TO MARY BROWN, CALVERT, MARYLAND, 1852

The central diamond medallion with an exotic bird perched upon a budding and floral berry vine surrounded by a scrolling thistle, bluebell, tulip, and peony vine flanked by floral cornucopia and floral trophy spandrels on an elaborate floral-stitched ground, inscribed "Mary Brown/Made in the 75th year of her age 1851" the inner border with intercrossed Princess Feather leaves, stars, and organic-patterned corner blocks, the middle border with pictorial and figurative reverse applique and appliqued designs, including parrots, intercrossed exotic birds, a squirrel, a dog and a cat observing birds, and various floral bouquets; the outer border with multiple patterns, among them wreaths of oak leaf, tulip, peony together with several stylized floral designs,
stitched in one corner block, the initials "I.R."; stitched in another corner block, "I.R. 1852," on a Princess Feather and diamond-stitched ground wth a green binding--101 x 102in.

Lot Essay

This album quilt was made for Israel and Elizabeth Reynolds of East Nottingham, now known as Calvert, Maryland. Israel Reynolds, born April 8, 1809, died February 28, 1891, and his wife Elizabeth, born December 18, 1822, and March 5, 1868, were farmers and Quakers who were members of the East Nottingham Brick Meeting House. Research conducted into the Cecil County Census of 1850 and tombstone records compiled by the D.A.R. indicate that the most probable maker was Mary Brown, a resident of the East Nottingham area.

Mary Brown was the daughter of Jessica and Rebecca Brown. She was born on February 26, 1777 and died January 31, 1861. Like the Reynolds, Mary was a member of the East Nottingham Brick Meeting House. The Brown family was one of the original Quaker families to settle in the Nottingham lots in the 17th century. The quilt has descended through the Reynolds family to the current owner.

The design of the quilt illustrates the superlative ability of its maker. In her combination of the typical album arrangement, together with the central diamond medallion framed by floral spandrels, Mary Brown brilliantly demonstrates her proficiency with a variety of stylistic influences. The intricacy of the applique work, the composition, and the bold graphic nature of this piece rival the very finest work achieved in Baltimore at this time.