Antique Pennsylvania Basket Pattern Quilt, c. 1880–1900

A visually dramatic Basket pattern quilt of Pennsylvania origin, dating to the last two decades of the 19th century. Twenty-five on-point basket blocks are pieced from brandy brown and chrome yellow cotton solids set against a brown-and-white geometric print, with appliquéd handles arching over each basket. The blocks alternate with squares of a crimson floral print, framed by three inner borders of alternating red and yellow solids and finished with a wide outer border of the same crimson floral. Binding is in chrome yellow.

The backing is a dark, inky paisley-style print — black ground with small ochre and gold figures — typical of late-19th-century Pennsylvania shirting and dress goods. Quilting is excellent throughout: cable, diamond, and accent motifs worked in red, yellow, and brown thread, with stitching tight and even. The chrome yellow and Turkey red palette, the heavy use of geometric shirting prints, and the on-point Basket layout all point to a Pennsylvania maker working in the last quarter of the 19th century, when these fabrics and this color formula were at their peak.

Collector's Note

Pennsylvania Basket quilts from this period have a strong following among textile collectors and folk-art dealers. The combination of Turkey red, chrome yellow, and brandy brown — the classic late-Victorian Pennsylvania palette — paired with disciplined piecing and ambitious quilting puts this example in the upper register of its type. The accompanying collector's tag (a prior dealer or collector reference, included with the lot) identifies the piece as Pennsylvania, c. 1880–1900.

CONDITION

Very Good. Colors remain strong and saturated with no significant fading; piecing and appliqué are sound, and the quilting stitches are intact throughout. Light overall softening from age and handling consistent with a quilt of this period.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• 84" × 82"
• Pattern: Basket (on-point set, 25 blocks)
• Materials: Cotton solids and prints; cotton batting
• Origin: Pennsylvania
• Date: c. 1880–1900
• Binding: Chrome yellow
• Backing: Black ground paisley-style print
• Quilting: Cable, diamond, and accent motifs in red, yellow, and brown thread