Wholecloth quilt

Although this quilt was made in England in the mid-eighteenth century, it entered the American Wing’s collection on the grounds that it has spent most of its very long life in this country. From England, where it was made by a professional quilter, it was imported to Boston and presented to Ann (Nancy) Maverick (1721-1811) and Nathaniel Phillips (1721-1811) on the occasion of their marriage on October 21, 1747. Amazingly well preserved, and clearly treasured, the quilt remained in their family for more than two hundred years.

Even in the mid-eighteenth century, this was a special quilt. Silk quilts were not generally intended for everyday use, and were likely owned by elite families. The delicate quilt has a plain-weave green silk top and a wool back that has been "calendered" (or pressed) with a large-scale pattern of flowers and foliage, reminiscent of the patterns woven into the famous English-made Spitalfields silks of the same period. It is stuffed with a layer of wool and has been quilted with green silk thread in intricate designs centering on a circular medallion.