Twelve Quilts of Christmas 2017 – #12
Pictorial Medallion, Jane Reagan or Jane Reazon, possibly Ontario, c. 1827, cotton, size not known, current location/collection unknown.
Marilyn I. Walker discusses at length this phenomenal quilt in her book Ontario Heritage Quilts. The scope, scale and detail in this quilter’s work astounds me. She was a skilled needlewoman, had a keen eye for composition, and her use of fabric and ability to give the illusion of three dimensions and create realistic representations through “silhouetting” with fabric is remarkable.
This quilt also leaves me full of questions. What story was she telling. Did this quilt accurately depict the different stages of her life. There are castles and battles and flocks of birds flying through the air and what appear to be gentlemen out for “The Shoot”. There is a scene of courtship (with chaperones), a room with artwork lining the walls showing a refined life, and scenes of country life including the hunt and social calls.
It is the bottom quadrant that further intrigues, with what looks like a deteriorating castle and a life of leisure. But as you get towards the lower half of that quadrant you see a life of farming, both men and women holding implements, and a strong sense of community and camaraderie. There is a shamrock and man playing fiddle in the bottom right corner. Some figures are only basted on, the quilt never completed. We are left wondering why she did not finish it.
We are so fortunate to know her name. She proudly added it to the wall of frames in the upper quadrant. Walker interprets it as Jane Reagan, but when I look at it I see the name Jane Reazon. I wonder what the significance of 1827? Was this a marriage quilt?
Look at the detail of the scissors on this table in this enlarged detail of the quilt and then look back at the quilt. This table is to the left of the fireplace in the top quadrant. My gosh those scissors are small!
Walker writes: “Jane probably brought the fabrics and threads with her when she came to Canada. Imported fabrics and threads of this quality were not available in remote areas. Several pieces of fabric still bear the Royal Seal of Approval on their backs. Fabrics had to be of top quality before they were given this approval.”
The scenes and materials indicate she likely came from a very privileged background. What a change it would have been to have travelled the ocean and start a new life in wilds of Canada.
Unfortunately the quilt had not been cared for by the time Walker came across it and it was in a severe state of rot, which is a shame. It has such a story to tell. Fortunately it was recorded in photographs.
Thank you so much for joining me this year. It has been such a pleasure to have you stop by and to share these quilts with you. I would love it if you would leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this year’s Twelve Quilts of Christmas.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Cheers
Mary Elizabeth
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I have enjoyed reading about these quilts and seeing the workmanship and creativity in them. They are amazing and inspirational. Thank you so much!
You are so very welcome Susan. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. It means a lot to hear how you enjoyed them.
This quilt is remarkable! Her detail is amazing, right down to the vases and figurines on the top of the mantle! I, too, would love to know the story behind her figures…if it was her life, she had a very interesting one!
You know I look forward to this ‘show’ every year…and this year it’s the reason I came back to blogging. What a treat each morning to see another amazing and beautiful quilt. Our tastes are so similar, so I know it’s going to be incredible! And now, like every year past, I get to go through all the previous year’s posts, and see if my favs are still my favs, and what gets added to ‘my list’!
Thanks so much for doing this each year! I know it’s a tremendous amount of work…but it is truly appreciated! Thank you, Mary Elizabeth! And have a very Merry Christmas!
Hi Regan. Let me first just say that your faithful comments are what help to bring me back to doing this curated show each year. So thank you to you so much for letting me know you are out there and enjoying them. I am so passionate about studying these old beauties and it is wonderful to know that others are appreciating them too. And how sweet of you to share that this blog helped send you back to blogging. I will have to head over and check in.
It was a busy Christmas with a new pup and the horrid flu going around (thus I completely missed a whack of blog comments. My apologies). Hope you had a wonderful holiday season too.
Thank you Mary Elisabeth every day I looked at the quilts you wanted to show us, the old quilts make me dream! Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much Evelyne. How sweet to hear that the old quilts make you dream. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Best to you.
Location unknown!?! I hope it’s being well looked after -what an amazing and unique textile!
I know … location unknown. I could find no trace of this quilt in current collections. And her notes about it’s deteriorating state broke my heart. I too hope it is being well looked after. Thank you for following along.
Oh gollly, I’m sitting here with my mouth open over this one.
Thanks for the 12 quilts. I’m sitting here on New Year’s Eve procratinating about getting up and getting some stuff done, so I wandered over to some quilting blogs. There goes another 20 minutes or so….:^)
You are so very welcome Susan. It was a special collection of quilts for me this year. I am so glad you enjoyed them.
I am drawn to quilts with human figures and scenes. I don’t remember having seen this one before. Thank you for sharing.
This quilt is so spectacular it takes my breath away and I agree the scenes and figures are divine. Thank you for stopping by the blog and having a look at the Twelve Quilts of Christmas.
I can’t find the Pattern for the Christmas Quilt block
Hi Barabara
For the instructions for the Foothills Quilt, go to my website, then look at the top of the main page and on the right you will see Foothills QAL, click on that. When that page comes up, look on the right hand side and you will see “Archives”, click on the “2018 (8)” and then click on February and then go to the first/earliest entry. If these instructions don’t work please email me and let me know.