When trade between the Western nations and Japan opened up in 1854, the influence of Japanese design became evident in many areas of the fine and decorative arts. Japanese design elements are found in this quilt pattern called the Fan. Fan quilts are most often made of silk and velvet and have much the same aesthetic as Crazy quilts. This example, however, is later and made of cotton. Quilts made of red and white cotton like this one were popular during the twentieth century. The placement of the quilt's blocks reinforces the fan imagery. Some blocks have been paired to form fully opened fans while others have been set at angles to each other, forming half-open fans.

Open full-size image