Quilt, Silk "Pineapple"

Dateca. 1875

MediumSilk, cotton

Dimensions76 inches W X 84 1/2 inches H (excluding tassels)

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2024.609.6

DescriptionRectangular quilt or parlor throw of multicolored and black silks in solids, plaids, ombre-effect prints, and fancy weaves pieced in a variation of "Log Cabin" sometimes referred to as "Pineapple." The piecing consists of strips ranging from 3/4 to one inch wide, assembled around black 6-sided centers that are crossed with machine stitching to the off-white cotton foundation fabrics. A thin white cotton batting is positioned between the silk strips and the foundation fabric. An off-white cotton backing the overall quilt is dotted with widely spaced black buttons with the metal shanks pushed through the backing to the inside, but not through the quilt top. Edges are bound with purple silk, machine stitched. Each of four corners has a large five-inch brown wooden and silk tassel hanging from cording.

Some silks disintegrating; backing coming loose. Stains.Label TextThis lively quilt features bright silks pieced together in a pattern resembling pineapples. The strips are folded and stitched to individual backing foundation fabrics, then the blocks assembled to form the quilt top.ProvenanceDates unknown, Mr. and Mrs. Todd Dabney; 1980, gift to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2024, gift to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)