Lone Star Crib Quilt, Berks County, Pennsylvania, c. 1920-1930, 40″ x 41″. Photo from Pook and Pook.  From the collection of the Henry Ford Museum.

This quilt is exquisite in design and execution and it is easy to understand why it formed part of an important private collection at one point and is now part of a museum collection.  It is not easy to create that “burst” and feeling of energy in this design (experience speaking).  This quilt succeeds splendidly.  You might think it is just about value, but it is also all about the colour.  This example glows, executed in the bright and clear colours typical of Berks County where it was made. The half stars are the perfect touch adding a delicate feel as they help encircle the central star and complete the composition.

Part of the fun of researching antique quilts is following the path of guardianship.  It has been particularly easy with many of these crib quilts, partly I think because I am looking at a smaller pool of quilts.  

This quilt went to auction in 2012, along with a full size Morning Star quilt that matches it (but with way more pieces! I am so happy they stayed together when they were sold).  The auction listing gave a date of c. 1900 (although the museum has it dated as 1920-1930) and that it is machine and hand stitched with quilting at 8 stitches per inch.   It also noted that this quilt was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in 1977 … it has some “cred”.  That is a lot of fantastic information for a auction listing.  The previous owners cared a lot.

These quilts happily ended up at the Henry Ford Museum.  Which leads me to say thank you. Thank you to those who collect and protect these quilts for future generations, be you an individual or a museum.  We are so grateful.