Antique Mid-19th Century Red & Green Appliqué Folk Art Quilt | c. 1840–1860 | 61” x 82”

Few quilt styles are as instantly recognizable—or as closely associated with the height of American quiltmaking in the mid-19th century—as the classic Red and Green Appliqué quilt. This beautiful example features sweeping, highly stylized botanical forms or Coxcombs arranged in a bold, symmetrical composition across a crisp white ground. The dramatic contrast of vivid red and soft green appliqué creates the striking visual impact that made these quilts so admired during the 1840–1860 period.

This design is unique and combines graceful scrolling vines, stylized floral motifs, strong symmetry, and a confident folk-art sensibility. The hand appliqué is beautifully executed, and the quilt retains its vibrant color palette.

Historically, this style reached the height of its popularity between approximately 1840 and the early 1860s. Following the Civil War, quilt fashions shifted dramatically toward different aesthetics, and by the late nineteenth century the elaborate red-and-green appliqué tradition had largely given way to Victorian styles and entirely different color palettes. As a result, quilts of this type are closely associated with the golden age of mid-19th-century American appliqué quiltmaking.

This particular quilt was much treasured by a Vermont collector for more than 40 years.

The hand quilting is in floret grids. The back is white cotton while the binding is red cotton that has been hand stitched to both sides. The cotton batting is very lightweight - the cotton seeds can still be seen when held up to the light.

CONDITION: The quilt is sturdy and in excellent antique condition with a fraying binding.

Details
* Antique mid-19th century appliqué quilt
* Circa 1840–1860
* Classic Red and Green appliqué design
* Hand appliquéd
* Hand quilted
* Cotton fabrics
* White ground with red, green, and yellow appliqué
* Measures approximately 61” x 82”
* Folk art botanical/coxcomb motif with scrolling vine forms
* Red applied binding

MB FA