Antique 1870s Indigo Snowflake Quilt – Exquisite Hand-Quilting – Condition Issues – 75” x 90”

This stunning late 1800s Indigo Blue and White Appliqué Quilt features a sophisticated Snowflake or Whig Rose variation pattern, highlighting the incredible skill of a post-Civil War era quilt-maker. The applique work is entirely hand-stitched as is the quilting, which is exquisite in its detail and tiny stitching. The quilting is in tight florals, tiny feather motifs, and complex combination flower and feather motifs.

The back is white cotton as is the binding that has been treadle-machine-stitched to both sides. The cotton batting is unsized and lightweight.

Condition issues: As can be seen in the photos, the quilt shows the "shattered" wear typical of antique indigo-dyed fabrics - due to the metal mordants, like iron, added in the dyeing process. Late-19th century white cottons can also shatter when "pure white" is achieved by using early chemical bleaches or chloride of lime and those chemicals are not completely rinsed but remain as residual salts that can slowly "burn" into the cellulose fibers of the cotton. Unfortunately that seems to have happened here, where there is shattering of some of the indigo and white cottons. The quilt is in otherwise very good condition, with strong colors, a fully intact back, and an intact binding.

Key Features & Details:
• Era: Circa 1860–1880.
• Pattern: Hand-appliquéd Snowflake or Whig Rose variation with six-petaled centers and delicate leaf sprays.
• Fabric: Authentic Indigo-dyed blue calico on a white cotton ground.
• Stitchwork: Exceptional "Echo" or Contour quilting (approx. 8–10 stitches per inch). The background is almost entirely covered in tiny, rhythmic hand-stitching that creates a beautiful pebbled texture.
• Dimensions: Generous size at 75” x 90”.

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