Hearts, Star of Lemoyne, and Honeycomb Quilt
A central, stitched inscription commemorates Hannah Hislop, the likely creator of this splendid quilt, recording her home of County Cavan, and the date March 12, 1844. A talented amateur seamstress, Hannah carefully reused four different brightly colored, printed fabrics reclaimed from dresses- perhaps her own- to create the carefully cut and hemmed patches pieced together in this bold and dramatic quilt. Close examination reveals some of the original seams left from the cottons’ earlier iterations as clothing items. Beyond thrift, this also hints at the intrinsic value assigned such textiles- as much-loved fabrics, even mementoes of family significance. A quilt such as this might well have been the principal colorful, decorative textile furnishing within Hannah’s home. Archival records reveal that in later years, she lived alone in increasing poverty, briefly falling foul of the law. At her death, Hannah left effects valued below £20; it is not known whether this joyful relic of her youth was among them.
Artwork Details
- Title: Hearts, Star of Lemoyne, and Honeycomb Quilt
- Maker: Hannah Hislop (Irish, died Coolnacarrig, County Cavan 1876)
- Date: March 12, 1844
- Culture: Irish
- Medium: Cotton, printed and pieced
- Dimensions: 69 × 70 in. (175.3 × 177.8 cm)
- Classification: Textiles
- Credit Line: Gift of Karen B. Cohen, in honor of Rochelle C. Rosenberg, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.147.5
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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After a painting by baron François Gérard (French, Rome 1770–1837 Paris)
designed 1805, woven 1808–11
Félix Aubert (French, 1866–1940)
1897–98
1849
19th century
19th century
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