Vintage 1940s Merry-Go-Round Crib Quilt – Hand Appliquéd Circus Quilt – 45” x 64”

This is a rare 1940s Merry-Go-Round Quilt with a merry-go-round along with a carnival scene surrounded by individually appliquéd and embroidered figures, horses, other animals, and flowers. This is a wonderful example of the elaborate pictorial children’s quilts made during the 1930s and 1940s.

The central medallion depicts a boy and a girl riding carousel horses beneath a Merry-Go-Round canopy, with embroidered lettering, decorative pennants, and scalloped trim. Surrounding the carousel is an embroidered floral garland enclosing additional appliquéd scenes, including a mother hen with chicks, ducks, a piglet, and a poodle balancing on a circus pedestal while holding an umbrella. The four scalloped corners also feature carnival characters, including clowns and a monkey.

The appliqué is exceptionally detailed, incorporating layered, increasingly tiny fabric pieces, contrasting cotton prints, and extensive hand embroidery to create the characters’ faces, clothing, and other decorative features.

The quilt is entirely hand quilted, with feathered and scrolling designs surrounding the central medallion, closely spaced diagonal quilting, and additional decorative quilting throughout. The back is white cotton while the binding, which appears newer than the rest of the quilt, is green cotton that has been machine stitched to the front and handstitched to the back. The cotton batting is lightweight.

Details:
* Date: Circa 1940s
* Size: 45” x 64”
* Pattern: Merry-Go-Round / Carnival pictorial quilt
* Fabric: Cotton solids and prints
* Construction: Hand appliquéd and hand embroidered
* Quilting: Entirely hand quilted, including decorative feather and scroll motifs
* Design: Central carousel surrounded by embroidered floral garlands, animals, and carnival figures
* Edges: Unusual scalloped corners with turquoise cotton binding
* Binding appears to be a later replacement, machine stitched to the front and hand finished on the back

CONDITION: Excellent vintage condition, particularly considering the age and intricate construction. The quilt has two carefully executed patched repairs that blend well with the original appliqué and are not readily apparent without close examination. The turquoise binding appears to be a later replacement and is neatly finished.

The appliqué, embroidery, and extensive hand quilting remain beautifully preserved, with the quilt presenting exceptionally well overall. Please examine the photographs as they form an important part of the description. The quilt has been soaked, freshly hand washed and line dried, giving it a light, natural, sun-dried cotton scent (not artificially fragranced).

The quilt has been soaked, freshly hand washed and line dried, giving it a light, natural, sun-dried cotton scent (not artificially fragranced).

An uncommon and highly detailed example of mid-20th-century American pictorial quiltmaking, with the craftsmanship and imaginative design associated with collectible children’s appliqué quilts.