Antique 1890s Mennonite Center Diamond Quilt – Mifflin County, PA – Hand Quilted – 72" x 84”

This is a late-19th-century Mennonite Center Diamond Quilt, dating from 1890-1900. Provenance: the Detweiler family (S.Y. Detweiler) in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The center diamond and the unique accent pieces added by the quilter at the bottom are turkey-red with mustard/tan sashing and a slate/blue-gray ground.

It is entirely hand-stitched. The hand-quilting is extensive and in beautiful, elaborate feathering and twisted rope motifs along the four-sided border and around the center diamond, as well as chevrons and cross-hatch grids, all in black thread. The hand-quilted center medallion is elaborate, radiating from the center circle/cross-hatch grid in a repeating geometric/floral design. The mustard/tan sashing around the center diamond is quilted in a zig-zag pattern.

The back is a wine-colored cotton while the binding is turkey-red cotton that matches the center diamond and has been hand-stitched to both sides. The cotton batting is lightweight.

The quilt is in excellent antique condition with one small, old repair to the front and localized dye loss to the dark blue ground that is visible in the photos and appears as light/chalky areas which is caused by the inherent instability of late 19th century dyes.

Details
• Date: Circa 1890s
• Origin: Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
• Provenance: Detweiler family
• Pattern: Center Diamond with Unique Accents / Medallion
• Construction: Hand pieced and hand quilted
• Size: 72” x 84”
• Materials: Cotton solids
• Backing: Wine-colored cotton
• Quilting: Hand stitched in feathers and other motifs

The quilt comes from a smoke-free and pet-free home and is shown on a queen-size bed.