Antique 1880s Ocean Waves Quilt with Tiny Piecework, Hand Quilted, 60” x 74”

This is a an exceptional antique Ocean Waves quilt dating to the late 19th century (circa 1880–1890), showcasing extraordinarily fine handwork and a rich variety of early calico fabrics.

Composed of hundreds of tiny triangles (just ½” x 1”), this quilt is a remarkable example of the skill and patience of 19th century quiltmakers. The fabrics are a wonderful mix of period calicoes and shirtings, including muted browns, soft double pinks, early blues, and taupe neutrals, all consistent with late 1800s textile production. Many prints show the soft, slightly diffused quality of early roller-printed cottons.

Equally impressive is the meticulous hand quilting, featuring dense stipple (pebble) quilting throughout, along with directional stitching that enhances the motion of the pieced waves. The back is off-white/cream cotton as is the binding that has been hand-stitched to both sides. The cotton batting is lightweight.

CONDITION: The quilt is in excellent antique condition with some fabric loss in some of the triangles (see photos) and some all-over age-related fading.

Details:
• Pattern: Ocean Waves
• Date: Circa 1880–1890
• Size: 60” x 74”
• Materials: Cotton fabrics and lightweight cotton batting
• Construction: Entirely hand pieced and hand quilted
• Quilting: Dense stipple and echo quilting

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