Mariner's Compass Quilt

1847

Not on view

This beautiful quilt, signed in the center in ink “Barbara Ann Miller/her quilt/1847”, exemplifies the German approach to the English tradition of quiltmaking. Pennsylvania German quilts are typically more boldly colored and patterned than those from other areas of the Northeast. The emphasis on ornate patterning is thought to reflect the influence of the German and central European folk-art traditions that the Pennsylvania Germans carried with them to America. The Mariner’s Compass pattern, which demanded incredibly precise stitching, was one of the most popular sewn by Pennsylvania German women in the nineteenth century.

Artwork Details

Overview

Catalogue Entry

Provenance

Title: Mariner's Compass Quilt
Maker: Barbara Ann Miller
Date: 1847
Geography: Made in Pennsylvania, United States
Culture: American
Medium: Cotton and linen
Dimensions: 108 x 107 1/2 in. (274.3 x 273.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of The Hascoe Foundation, 2011
Object Number: 2011.374
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Wholecloth whitework quilt, J. Wright American, Quilted cotton, American — Wholecloth whitework quilt
J. Wright
ca. 1815

Floral Applique Quilt, Emeline Travis Ludington American, Cotton, American — Floral Applique Quilt
Emeline Travis Ludington
ca. 1850

Quilt, Tumbling Blocks with Signatures pattern, Adeline Harris Sears American, Silk, American — Quilt, Tumbling Blocks with Signatures pattern
Adeline Harris Sears
begun 1856

Phebe Warner Coverlet, Sarah Furman Warner Williams American, Linen and cotton, American — Phebe Warner Coverlet
Sarah Furman Warner Williams
ca. 1803

Signature Quilt, Julianna Diehl Fenstermacher American, Cotton — Signature Quilt
Julianna Diehl Fenstermacher
1855

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.