ticketsMember | Make a donation

Woman’s Rights Quilt

ca. 1875
Not on view
This unique pictorial quilt tells two distinct stories. Three of the circular appliquéd vignettes depict soldiers who fought in the American Civil War, assuredly still a fresh memory when the quilt was made. Three other blocks feature dynamic scenes of social activism in the fight for women’s rights. In one vignette, the reformer leaves her husband and child, a “WOMAN’S RIGHTS” banner slung jauntily over her shoulder. In another she is driving a horse-drawn cart, undoubtedly going to the meeting depicted in a third circle, where she vociferously lectures the cowering audience. The quiltmaker’s comical take on one of the most serious issues of the late nineteenth century raises the question of her own viewpoint on the subject.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Woman’s Rights Quilt
  • Artist: Emma Civey Stahl (American)
  • Date: ca. 1875
  • Geography: Made in Illinois, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Cotton
  • Dimensions: 70 × 69 1/2 in. (177.8 × 176.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.538
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
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
Branches and Vines Quilt, Ernestine Eberhardt Zaumseil American, Cotton, silk, and wool, American
Branches and Vines Quilt
Ernestine Eberhardt Zaumseil
ca. 1875

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.