Signature Quilt
This quilt is made up of six blocks across and six blocks down, surrounded by a border and sashing of red printed pattern on white ground. Each block has a central square of white cotton fabric that is inscribed in black ink with a person’s name underlined with a flourish, all in the same hand.
The quilt was likely made by or for Julianna Fenstermacher on the occasion of her marriage to Benneville Fenstermacher. The square that contains Julianna’s name reads in German: "Julianna. Fenstermacher/ her carpet/ 1855." Benneville’s name can be found in the square beside hers. The quilt also includes the names of Julianna’s parents, Hannah and Tobias Diehl, and her brothers and sisters, Dianna Heinrich, Jacob, and Emilie Diehl. This quilt demonstrates the bright colors and sentimental traditions popular with German-speaking immigrant communities in Pennsylvania.
The quilt was likely made by or for Julianna Fenstermacher on the occasion of her marriage to Benneville Fenstermacher. The square that contains Julianna’s name reads in German: "Julianna. Fenstermacher/ her carpet/ 1855." Benneville’s name can be found in the square beside hers. The quilt also includes the names of Julianna’s parents, Hannah and Tobias Diehl, and her brothers and sisters, Dianna Heinrich, Jacob, and Emilie Diehl. This quilt demonstrates the bright colors and sentimental traditions popular with German-speaking immigrant communities in Pennsylvania.
Artwork Details
- Title: Signature Quilt
- Artist: Julianna Diehl Fenstermacher (American, 1837–1902)
- Date: 1855
- Geography: Made in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
- Medium: Cotton
- Dimensions: 97 × 95 in. (246.4 × 241.3 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Gordon H. Frey, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.710
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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