Images(2)

Quilt, Tumbling Blocks pattern

Dateca. 1860

OriginAmerica

MediumWools, silk, cotton

Dimensions64 inches H X 58 1/2 inches W

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2024.609.5

DescriptionSmall rectangular pieced quilt or comforter in "Tumbling Blocks" pattern consisting of solid blacks, greens, browns, and blues along with multicolored fine wools in florals, small-scale abstract prints, stripes, paisley, dots, and plaids. The quilt is padded with thin cotton batting, backed with blue, brown, and white gingham checked silk, and bound around the edges with a thin wool striped print with small diamonds. The coverlet has loose quilting stitches worked through the backing, batting, and portions of the face (the quilting does not consistently extend through the pieced face.)

Some piecing stitches are coming undone and some of the textiles are worn and fragile.Label TextThe quilt pattern usually known as "Tumbling Blocks" combines diamond shapes arranged by color to give the effect of steps. This small textile may have been used as a parlor throw.ProvenanceDates unknown to 1970, Mrs. M. R. Turnbull; 1970, given to Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2024, given to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).