Quilt Top, unfinished "String Square"

Date1890-1900

Maker Amanda Caroline Guice Shaifer American, 1843 - 1930

OriginAmerica, Mississippi, Claiborne County

MediumSilks, cotton

Dimensions73 1/2 inches H X 60 inches W

Credit LineGift of The Children of Elizabeth Shaifer Hollingsworth - Allison Shaifer Hollingsworth Moxey, Ann Davidson Hollingsworth Weeden and Christopher Alton Hollingsworth, and The Children of Sanfrid Davidson Shaifer - Mary Laura Shaifer Bell, Jodie Stovall Shaifer Huddleston and Sanfrid Davidson Shaifer, Jr.

Object number2025.609.5

DescriptionRectangular quilt top constructed of small squares of cottons overlaid with varying widths of black and multicolor silk strips ("foundation piecing"). The squares are joined in an alternating pattern of vertical and horizontal strips. Unfinished, with raw edges.Label TextThis quilt is part of a large donation of quilts by the Shaifer family of Claiborne County, MS. These 46 quilts were made by women from four successive generations of the family, dating from the mid-1800s to the 1980s. Amanda Caroline Guice (1844-1930), who married A.K. "Kell" Shaifer in 1865, led the first generation of Shaifer family quilters and made this quilt in the late 19th century. This is one of several examples of Guice's piecework; a style she appeared to prefer. While she worked several cotton pieced quilts, this example and a "Courthouse Steps" show quilt both use silk.Provenance1890s, quiltmaker Amanda Guice (Mrs. Abram) Shaifer [1844-1930] (Claiborne County, MS); dates unknown, descended in family to Elizabeth Shaifer (Mrs. Al) Hollingsworth (Claiborne County, MS); 2025, gift of Shaifer children via Mr. Al Hollingsworth to Colonial Willliamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)