Antique 1890-1900 Ocean Waves Summer Quilt / Coverlet, 68” x 95”

Antique Ocean Waves quilt dating to approximately 1900–1915, constructed from a large assortment of period cotton scraps. The pieced field consists of numerous small triangles arranged around light printed centers, creating the repeating Ocean Waves pattern. The quilting is very light and utilitarian, serving primarily to secure the top to the backing. As a result, the quilt is considerably lighter and thinner than a typical bed quilt of the period.

The four-sided sawtooth border is a unique feature for an Ocean Waves quilt and are made of triangles noticeably larger than the small triangles in the body of the quilt, creating a bold, graphic perimeter.

The fabrics in this quilt remain vibrant and beautiful and include distinct, solid cheddar/mustard yellow triangles scattered throughout the blocks that serve as a key temporal markers. Chrome yellow dyes gained widespread commercial popularity in American quilting between 1880 and 1910, frequently used as vibrant pop accents in quilts, while the high proportion of Madder Dyes and Alizarin Browns, including dark chocolate browns, rusts, tan-ground calicos, and brown roller prints point to the 1870s to 1890s. In addition, there are numerous Mourning Prints (deep black, navy, dark gray), and Victorian Shirtings and Foulards with motifs common in late 19th century attire, attire that was repurposed in this quilt.

While individual scrap triangles—such as woven plaids or older indigo prints—appear to date back to the 1870s, a quilt is dated by its newest fabric. The combination of the cheddar yellow accents, standardized late-Victorian shirting setting squares, and turn-of-the-century floral backing narrows the completion date to circa 1890–1900.

The back is a Rosebud print of delicate pink rosebud sprigs on an off-white ground that has been turned to the front and handstitched to form the binding. There is no batting in this quilt that appears to have been made as a summer coverlet.

CONDITION: Very good antique condition, particularly considering its age and the large number of small fabric pieces used in its construction. This is a strong and unusually intact example of late 19th-century scrap quilting. Please examine the photographs as they form an important part of the description.

Details
* Pattern: Ocean Waves
* Date: Circa 1890-1900
* Measurements: 68” x 95”
* Materials: Assorted period cotton fabrics
* Scrap construction using numerous prints, plaids, checks, stripes and shirtings
* Pieced triangular border
* No batting
* Light utilitarian quilting securing the top directly to the backing
* Printed cotton backing
* Lightweight summer quilt / coverlet construction