Floral Whole Cloth Quilt

Unidentified maker, possibly Van Rensselaer family, New York State, Fabric probably made in England
Date: c. 1800
Maker: Unidentified maker, possibly Van Rensselaer family, New York State
Maker / Manufacturer: Fabric probably made in England
Medium: Block-printed cotton with cotton and linen back
Dimensions: 91 H x 104 W
Credit: Gift of Susan Van Rensselaer Dayton
Accession Number: 1948.31.135
Comments:
The naturalistic flowers printed on both the central fabric (dating to about 1760 or 1770) and the border fabric (dating slightly later to around 1790 or 1800) reveal the increasing interest in precise observation and illustration of botanical specimens during the European enlightenment of the eighteenth century. These are not the fantastical flowers favored in India for printied chintzes. The expert and lavish quilting set this bed cover apart.