Antique Princess Feather Quilt - c. 1860s, Rare Micro-Stipple Quilting - 82" x 96"

This is not your average vintage quilt; it is a master piece of 19th-century needlework (circa 1850s-1875) rescued from years of neglect in a barn, this Princess Feather Quilt has been gently hand-soaked and hand-washed to stabilize it. While it bears the "honest wear" of its 150-years, the structural integrity remains incredible thanks to the masterful, intricate quilting that would have taken more than a year and hundreds of hours to complete.

That is the standout feature of this quilt - the micro-stipple quilting. Unlike standard diamond or grid patterns, stipple quilting involves thousands of tiny stitches spaced mere millimeters apart and covering the field so completely there is little space without quilting. The density of the quilting is not only beautiful, it is very strong.

The back is white/cream cotton while the binding is green cotton that has been hand-stitched to both sides. The cotton batting is very lightweight.

Unfortunately, the quilt has endured some harsh storage conditions and has some tears along the outer edge (see photos), age-related toning, some minor fabric loss in the appliqued feathers and a frayed binding (see photos).
• Fabric Loss: There is "shattering" (wear/holes) in the red applique plumes and some green sections, likely due to the mineral content of the original 19th-century dyes.
• Staining: While clean, some persistent "ghost" and age spots remain from its time in storage.
• Integrity: The stipple quilting has kept the batting and layers remarkably intact. The binding shows wear consistent with age.

Details:
• Circa: 1850–1875 (Antebellum/Civil War Era).
• Dyes: Features authentic Turkey Red (notably colorfast) and Overdye Green. You can see the characteristic "blue-to-yellow" fade in the green plumes, a hallmark of 19th-century botanical dyes.
• Construction: The white background fabric features a central hand-sewn seam, indicating it was made before the wide availability of double-width loom fabrics.
• Size: An impressive 82" x 96"—designed for the high-post grand beds of the Victorian era.

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

GQ