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Quilt with Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows Symbols
ca. 1850
Sarah M. Snader
USA: Pennsylvania (probably)
Cotton, wool
overall: 86 in x 85 in
Museum Purchase
94.049

Pieced and appliquéd Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows album quilt composed of brown, green, blue and orange solid patches and red calico patches arranged in a variation of an album quilt pattern; center square with a heraldic shield quartered, heart-in-hand crest, dove on globe, owl, three links, arrows (Arms of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the State of Pennsylvania); another square with Masonic square and compasses enclosing a letter "G" and three links; other squares with floral rings and pots of flowers and fruits; the center part embroidered / part stamped "By / Sarah M. Snader / For / Peter Nicodemus." Two layers hand-quilted with 11 stitches per inch. Some embroidered details on the blocks. Composed of sixteen blocks that are 17" square. Single border appliquéd with a floral vine. Straight-applied binding. Muslin backing made from at least three pieces.


In the 1800s many quilts were made as gifts, but few bear evidence of it. However, this quilt's maker, Sarah Snader, stenciled her name near its center, along with the name of its recipient, Peter Nicodemus. Sarah chose to appliqué several symmetrical four-part designs based on cutout paper patterns, floral wreaths, and wreaths encircling collections of symbols. Some of these symbols, for example, the three links and two arrows on one of the center blocks, relate to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In another block, the Masonic emblem, a square and compasses with the letter G, is paired with the emblem of the Odd Fellows, three interlocked links, representing the values of friendship, love, and truth, signaling that Peter may have belonged to both organizations.



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