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Key Pieces in the Exhibition:
together. The individual blocks have been moves towards the edges of the star.
arranged to form an eye-dazzling twelve- To add more colours and reduce expanses
‘Mother and Child’ by Orlando Hand Bears pointed star that plays optical illusions. The of plain fabric, four smaller stars have
(1811-1851) (Opposite) hand-quilting is meticulous. Simple parallel been pieced from slightly smaller triangles
Little is known about the artist, who has lines cover most of the quilt top. Scallop and appliquéd onto the corners.
signed his name on the reverse of the filler is used in the borders and quilted oak
canvas. A native of Sag Harbor, New York, leaves are stitched between the star points.
he was not a prolific artist. His surviving
portraits, however, are exquisitely detailed Star of Bethlehem Quilt (Right)
and often feature society ladies with Star of Bethlehem is among the oldest
elaborate coiffures, as illustrated in this of patchwork designs. The pattern has
example. The baby holds a silver and coral several names, which relate to the
rattle, which is similar to one displayed in geographical provenance of individual
the museum’s silver collection. quilts. Star of Bethlehem is commonly
used in north-eastern American states;
Tumbling Blocks Star Quilt (Above) an earlier name (and one sometimes
This magnificent quilt was made for used in England) is Mathematical Star.
exhibition at the New Jersey State Fair in In Texas, the design is known as Lone
1852. Each Tumbling Block is made from Star. The skill in making such a quilt
three pieces of silk (of light, medium and lies in the care taken in sewing these
dark shades) that have been tacked onto diamonds together. Small errors in
diamond shaped papers and then sewn stitching are exaggerated as the quilter
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