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ca. 1886
Maker not marked
USA
silk, velvet
overall: 76 in x 68 1/4 in
Gift of J. Bruce Spilman in memory of Charles Hadley Spilman
89.25
Masonic crazy quilt with Knights Templar, Scottish Rite and other ribbons and cutouts. Thirty blocks measuring approximately 11 by 12 inches. One 4" black velvet border. Backed with four pieces of maroon silk. Knife-edge binding. Hand-pieced and embroidered in multi-color thread (often variegated) along edges of blocks and fabric pieces. Also embroidered along edge of border. Embroidered in yellow around the ribbons (similar to glory rays symbol). Top is made from a variety of silk and velvet fabrics in solids and prints. Medium batting. See file for a complete list of the ribbons that appear in the quilt; most date from the 1880 and 1883 Knights Templar Conclaves in Chicago and San Francisco, respectively. There are also ribbons for Scottish Rite Consistory events and the Ancient Companions Domestic Club. There is one ribbon for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Illinois from 1886. The earliest ribbon to appear is for Chicago's Oriental Consistory from 1878. One corner block is blue with an elaborate embroidered "S" and no ribbons.