Exceptional 19th Century Robbing Peter to Pay Paul Quilt – Hand Quilted – Museum-Quality -- 88"x98"

This extraordinary Robbing Peter to Pay Paul Quilt is a true collector’s piece, dating to the late 19th century (circa 1875–1895) and executed in one of the earliest and most visually sophisticated curved-pieced quilt designs.

Measuring a remarkable 88" by 98”, it is a rare survivor of this size from the 1800s. Quilts of this scale required significant time, skill, and resources, and were often made as best-bed, trousseau, or show pieces rather than for daily use.

The hand-quilting is dense, tiny, expertly done and in complex feathers and feather wreaths as well as cross-hatch grids and double diagonals.

The back is white cotton while the front and back fabrics have been turned inward and hand-stitched together to form a self-finished edge as the binding. The unsized cotton batting is lightweight.

The quilt is in excellent antique condition and appears to be never-used or little used and never washed. It has some age-related toning and a few discolorations as would be expected in a quilt of this age, but no thinning, fabric loss or structural issues.

Details
• Construction: Hand pieced curved construction throughout
• Quilting: Hand quilted with dense feathered wreaths, crosshatching, and echo quilting
• Fabrics: Period cotton fabrics consistent with late 19th-century production
• Condition: Excellent condition - original white ground fabric showing natural oxidation/toning from age and long-term display; Original quilting pencil marks remain visible
• Size: 88"x98"

The quilt comes from a smoke-free, pet-free home and is pictured on a queen-size bed. There is a display sleeve sewn into the back.