Our Amish Quilt Collection: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown Photo Gallery by brownsf at pbase.com

Our Amish Quilt Collection: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown

The quilts in this gallery were all created by Amish women between 1880 and the 1940's.

We first saw an Amish quilt in the 1970's and were knocked out by the graphics and vibrant colors, by how "modern" these antique quilts appear to be. We continue to be amazed that the "plain people"--people who isolate themselves and reject worldly things-- created quilts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that foreshadowed modern abstract artists like Ellsworth Kelly, Sol Lewitt, Mark Rothko, Josef Albers, Frank Stella and Victor Vasarely. Unlike painters, however, the Amish did not originally make their quilts for public exhibition because they do not believe in demonstrating worldly pride in their work. You can click on "all galleries" at the top of this page, then scroll down and click on "Amish Quilts and Modern Art" to see some comparisons between antique Amish quilts and abstract paintings or go to this link:

https://pbase.com/brownsf/amish_quilts_and_modern_art

Quilts in our collection have been depicted in books and calendars and featured in several museums, including the de Young Museum in San Francisco, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor (curated by Julie Silber and Bob Shaw) and the Spencer Gallery at the University of Kansas. The University of Michigan Museum of Art published an 80 page color catalog on the occasion of these exhibits, with essays by Eve Granick and Joe Cunningham. An exhibition of 40 quilts from our collection was on display in 2005 at the Denver Art Museum. "Amish Abstractions," an exhibit of 48 our quilts, was at the de Young Museum from November 14, 2009 to June 6, 2010. A catalog is available from Amazon.com and other book sellers.

Update: 50 of our quilts will be exhibited at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC from March-September 2024. A catalog will be published to accompany the exhibit. All the quilts in our collection will go to the Smithsonian by gift or bequest. We have long felt that we are temporary custodians of these American works and that they ultimately should reside in a place where they will be properly cared for and exhibited..
Technical notes: YOU CAN ENLARGE ANY IMAGE BY CLICKING ON IT and then selecting the image size at the bottom of the page.

001:Broken Dishes crib -Holmes County,OH c.1930 37"x32"	002:Bars-Rebecca Zook, Lancaster County, PA c.1910 83"x76"	003:Bars-Lancaster County,PA c.1930 76"x68"	004:Bars Variation-Lancaster County, PA c.1915 79"x80"
005:Nine Patch-Midwest c.1920 74"x62"	006:Diamond Variation-Lancaster County ,PA c1930 80"x78"	007:Center Diamond-Barbara Fisher ,LancasterCounty,PA c.1900 82"x82"	008:Railroad Crossing -Holmes County, OH-dated in quilting 1888 Made by Melinda Miller 69"x89"
009:Diamond Variation-Lancaster County, PA c.1930 71"x76"	010:Broken Star-Holmes County, OH c. 1930 80"x76"	011:Center Diamond variation-Sadie Lapp, Lancaster County,PA c.1915 82"x82"	012:Crazy-Arthur IL c.1930 78"x63"
013:Crosses and Losses-Holmes County, OH -dated in quilting 1898 80"x69"	014:Broken Dishes-Holmes County, OH 1930 68"x87"	015:Diagonal Triangles-Holmes County, OH c.1930 80"x68"	016:Birds in the Air-Holmes County, OH c.1910 86"x72"
017:Unnamed pattern-Mifflin County ,PA c.1930 84"x80"	018:Tumbling Blocks- Holmes County, OH c. 1930 89"x85"	019:Tumbling Blocks-Ohio or Indiana c.1925 72"x70"	020:Railroad Crossing Holmes County, OH c. 1930 72"x53"
021:Bow Tie-Holmes County, OH c.1930 85"x75"	022:Double Wedding Ring-Holmes County, OH c.1920 78"x65"	023:Ocean Waves-Holmes County,OH dated 1917 68"x66"	024:Unnamed pattern-Holmes County, OH c.1930 75"x65"
025:Old Maid's Puzzle-Holmes County, OH c. 1930 78"x72"	026:Nine Patch-midwest c. 1940 50"x42"	027:Roman Stripes crib Holmes County, OH c.1930 46"x38"	028:Center Diamond-Petersheim family, Lancaster County,,PA c.1925 75"x74"
029:Jacobs Ladder- Mifflin County,PA c.1910 81"x68"	030:Tartan variation-Mifflin County PA c.1930 68"x68"	031:Center Square-Arthur, IL c.1930 70"x57" (front)	032:Center Square reverse side
033:Evening Star-Holmes County, Ohio c.1930 83"x70"	034:Lone Star-Lapp family-Smoketown ,PA c.1930 81"x80"	035:Roman Stripes-Holmes County,OH- initialed and dated 1912 in quilting 84"x61"	036:Tumbling Blocks-Holmes County, OH c.1930 88"x75"
037:Bowtie-Holmes County, OH c.1930 85"x70"	038:Broken Dishes-Ohio c.1915 71"x64"	039:Diagonal triangles-Dena Raber, Holmes County, OH 1940 76"x62"	040:Double Wedding ring-Ohio or Indiana c.1930 77"x75"
041:Indiana Puzzle-Midwest c.1930 79"x46"	042:Log Cabin-Lancaster County PA c.1900 76"x74"	043:Roman stripes-Holmes County, OH c.1930 86"x63"	044:Ocean Waves variation-Holmes County, OH c.1940 88"x76"
045:Ocean Waves-Holmes County, OH c. 1925 89"x76"	046:Ocean Waves Holmes County, OH-"1927 J.B." in quilting 84"x74"	047:Maple Leaf-Holmes County, OH c. 1930 92"x77"	048:Baskets-LaGrange County, IN -dated in quilting 1935 83"x69"
049:Stripes crib-Wisconsin c. 1930 59"x42"	050:Baskets-Holmes County, OH c.1920 72"x68"	051:Triangles-Holmes County,OH c.1930 44"x34"	052:Center Diamond (1 of a pair)-Lancaster County,PA c.1930 77"x77"
053:Four Patch variation crib-Midwest 1930 53"x35"	054:Nine Patch crib-Indiana c.1940 70"x44"	055:Pine Trees crib-Holmes County, OH c.1930 56"x37"	056:Railroad Crossing crib-Holmes County, OH c.1930 41"x36"
057:Sawtooth Basket crib-Midwest c.1930 40"x32"	058:Snail's Trail crib-New Wilmington, PA c.1930 57"x34"	059:Sunshine and Shadow-Lancaster County PA c.1930. 89"x86"	060:Roman Stripes crib quilt-Kansas c.1910-20 37"x45"
061:Center Diamond-Lancaster County PA c.1930 72"x72"	62: Nine Patch	063:Young Man's Fancy crib-Midwest c.1930 42"x33"	064:Ocean Waves-Holmes County, OH-"January 1,1926" in quilting 75"x65"
065:Ocean Waves-Holmes County, OH c.1920 69"x61"	066:Ocean Waves-OH c. 1920-reverse side	067:Four Patch-Nine Patch Variation-Lebanon, OH c.1940 79"x73"	068:Chinese Coins-Indiana c.1930 72"x62"
069:Old Maid's Puzzle Holmes County, OH c. 1930. 81"x63"	070:Unnamed pattern-OH c.1930 82"x66"	071::Variable Stars crib Indiana c.1930 43"x38"	072:Tumbling Blocks variation-Midwest c.1920 74"x47"
073:Unnamed pattern-Holmes County, OH c.1930 56"x41"	074:Philadelphia Pavement (Menonite)-PA c.1900 82"x82"	075:Rocky Road to California -Mifflin County, PA initialed "LAY"c.1930 72"x74"	076:Bowtie-Mercer County, PA c.1930 87"x84"
077:Tumbling Blocks-Holmes County, OH c.1930 81"x65"	078:Triangles crib-Wisconsin c. 1920 41"x33"	079:Double Wedding Ring crib -Holmes County, OH c. 1930 42"x40"	080:Stairway to Heaven-Holmes County, OH c.1930 82"x62"
081:Log Cabin (garden with fence and gate)-Menonite c.1900 95"x82"	082:Hole in the Barn Door Indiana- dated in quilting 1930 91"x75"	083:Ocean Waves crib -Holmes County, OH c.1930 42"x38"	084:Boston Common-Holmes County, OH c.1940 86"x72"
085:Trip Around the World-Menonite c.1920 80"x73"	086:Ocean Waves crib Illinois c.1925 41"x36"	087:Josephs Coat Menonite c. 1900 74"x74"	088:Stars crib-Holmes County OH c.1940.jpg
089: Original Pattern, Somerset County, PA c.1930 30"x25"	090: One Patch, Buchanan County, IA c. 1940 31"x25"	091: Original Pattern, Holmes County, OH c.1930 35"x39"	092: LogCabinVariation crib quilt, Arthur, IL circa 1925 35"x26"
093: Triangles crib quilt, Kalona, Iowa circa 1930 41"x33"	094: ZigZag (Roman Stripe variation) crib quilt, Haven, KS circa 1930 35"x26"	095: Lattice crib quilt, Haven, KS c. 1930 43"x53"	096: Double Nine Patch, Lancaster County, PA c. 1930 82.5"x82.5"
097: Center Diamond-Lancaster County, PA c. 1930 80"x80"	098:Tumbling Blocks/Stairway to Heaven, Holmes County, OH circa 1935 67"x75"	099:Bricks in Bars crib quilt, Ada Gingerich, Arthur, IL circa 1930 46"x76"	100: Crazy Star, Arthur, IL circa 1920, 63"x 73" wool
101: RomanStripes, Ohio circa 1930 38"x28"	102: BowTie, Holmes County, Ohio circa 1930, 77"x65"	103: BowTie, Arthur, IL circa 1930 48"x37.5"	104: 36 patch w-stripes, Arthur, IL c. 1930 33"x31"
105: Crazy Quilt, Lancaster, PA c. 1930 83" x82"	106: Jacobs Ladder, Holmes County, OH c.1930, 38" x30"	107: Pinwheel crib quilt, Holmes County, OH c. 1930 31"x31"	108: Ocean Waves dated 1916, Holmes County, OH
109: Ocean Waves Variation, Elkhart County, IN c.1930	110: Roman Stripe, Mrs. Neil Bontrager, Buchanan, IA c. 1940	111: Original Pattern, Arthur, IL c. 1925	112: Original Pattern
113: Lancaster, PA c. 1930	114: Center Star crib, Arthur, IL c.1930	115: Bear Claw Variation crib Hutchinson, KA c.1920	116: Unnamed pattern-Arthur, IL c. 1915-25 37.5 x 30.5
117: Unnamed pattern, Arthur, IL c. 1915-1920	118: Log Cabin, Arthur, IL	119: Log Cabin, Holmes County, OH c.1920	120: Original pattern, Arthur, IL c. 1920-30, 33x43
121: Ocean Waves variation, Holmes County, OH c. 1910 80x81 made by Clara Beachy	122: Center Diamond, Lancaster County, PA, c. 1900 78x82	123:Center Diamond-Lancaster, PA c.1920-1930 84x80	124: Center Square-Lancaster, PA c. 1920, 76x76 wool
125: Sunshine and Shadow, Lancaster County, 76x78 c. 1920,	126: Bars-Lancaster, PA c. 1920 76x74 wool	127: Fans, c.1915, Pennsylvania,71x76	128:Sunshine and Shadow-Lancaster, PA c. 1930 84x82 wool
129: Center Diamond-Lancaster, PA c. 1930 83x80 wool	130: Log Cabin, c.1920, Pennsylvania, 75x72	131:Sawtooth Diamond, Lancaster PA c.1915, 77x79	132: Log Cabin, c.1910. Ohio, 80x80
133:Unnamed Pattern	de Young Catalog	Exhibit Catalog (University of Michigan Museum of Art, 80 pages)	deYoung Museum, San Francisco
Denver Art Museum	University of Michigan Art Museum	Spencer Museum-Univ. of Kansas-Amish Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown	Renwick Gallery (photo courtesy Pete Souza, Chicago Tribune)
Renwick Gallery (photo courtesy Pete Souza, Chicago Tribune)	Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian-Amish Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown	Renwick Gallery (photo courtesy Pete Souza, Chicago Tribune)	Renwick Gallery
	deYoung exhibition poster

comment |

joseantonio		24-Jan-2021 08:20
a very nice collection.

Fiona ni'Giollarua		31-Jul-2015 18:46
Thank you for sharing such a superb collection of Amish quilts! I grew up among the Amish of the Milverton Ontario area (Mornington Township, Perth County.) It should be noted that each congregation decides what colours will be permitted. In my own area: no reds, no oranges or tans bordering on gold tones; no bright green such as Kelly or lime, but pale green and forest green is allowed. Also, no hot pink, but sometimes fuschia is permitted if it is leaning more towards a purplish tone. Royal purple is also allowed, but there is more use of burgundy. Brown and all its shades is seldom seen in clothing, and thence, seldom used in quilts—the same goes for grey and its shades unless the source of patches comes from old wool or wool blend horse blankets or men's suits. There is no turquoise blue, but most other shades are permissible. It was quite a shock to see the bright reds and some of the other colours used by the Midwestern Amish of the US. Lovely to see. Thank you again for sharing!

Georgia Knuteson		17-Sep-2013 02:37
I would like to try and recreate 089 quilt with your permission .Thank You for sharing your wonderful collection.Georgia Knuteson

bookworm1944@webtv.net		09-May-2013 09:03
I enjoyed looking at these colorful, fascinating quilts online. I don't quilt myself. In a museum in SLC, Ut. I went to a quilt exhbit. The only quilt I remember was both the most interesting yet most drab quilt I ever saw. It was not Amish. It was all done in white on white. I am very interested in women in history (herstory). This white quilt had many famous women's names on it, but they were so difficult to read. One would have to be practically nose to quilt. I do recognize some similarities between some of the modern atists you listed & some of the quilts. Thank you.

Louise Tremblay		18-Mar-2013 11:38
I came back from Lancaster, Pa. yesterday and was looking for inspiration to make an Amish quilt.I found plenty here. Thank you.

Jeni Ross		02-Sep-2012 16:58
What a stunning collection. Thank you for sharing the images. I am a UK tapestry artist and I love Amish quilts. I work with colour and these just amaze me.

lola ruiz		09-Feb-2011 18:31
Hi from Spain. Thank you for sharing. Love the brave play of color in these quilts.

Loretta in Indiana		05-Aug-2010 20:13
I am a quilter and truly appreciate this collection-- thanks for making it available to us. I have been inspired to reproduce the quilt 045, an Ocean Waves variation from Ohio. The colors will also be in the Amish tradition, strong blues, purples, greens, red and gold.

Betty		05-Apr-2010 22:45
Love those Amish quilts! There is a museum in Lancaster, PA that shows Amish quilts. I think there is a significant collection that is rotated. I was there several years ago. Many quilts date in the 1800s and are made of wool fabric. The stitching is very small and tight, very even stitches...to die for.

Suellen		21-Mar-2010 03:13
On a driving trip through California, I planned an extra night in SF just to see this exhibit at the de Young and was not disappointed. I kept asking myself to identify a favorite quilt but had to give up because so many vied for this position. As many have said, thank you for helping to preserve and bring attention to this art form.

Tom and Ann		17-Feb-2010 01:01
Just saw the de Young exhibit and met you both. Terrific show. 094 is, I think, the greatest quilt I have ever seen.

Loren Amelang		28-Jan-2010 03:16
I stared at Broken Star-Holmes County in the San Francisco de Young exhibition for so long they got worried about me. It is some kind of perceptual "test pattern", as subtle as the Kitaoka illusions. I was completely unable to bring all of the black squares into foreground attention simultaneously. They were not allowing photography, so I'm really glad to see this web presentation. Thank You!

Uncle Mame		03-Sep-2009 01:05
Wonderful! Remarkable! Thank you for sharing your collection online.

torhild berg		30-Mar-2009 17:42
Very inspiering pictures.Thanks from a newborn quiltfan in Norway.

torhild berg		30-Mar-2009 17:41
Very inspiering pictures.Thanks from a newborn quiltfan in Norway.

Lee Cleland		16-Sep-2008 23:15
Thank you for sharing these photos of the Amish quilt collection that was exhibited in Denver in 2005. I was in Denver at the time,from Australia; saw the exhibition and was impressed with the diversity and graphic quality of the quilts but was unable to purchase a catalogue as they had run out. This is the next best thing and a wonderful reminder of a fantastic exhibition.

Pepper Cory		10-Feb-2008 20:18
Thank you for sharing your beautiful quilts with us. They are very inspiring and the quality of the photos excellent.

LuAnn Kessi,Oregon		29-Aug-2005 19:32
What a treat! A heart felt thankyou for sharing your passion with others.

Laurie Nielsen		13-Jun-2005 21:40
Thank you so much for sharing your quilts with us. I went to the exhibit at the Denver Art Museum on Saturday and was completely blown away. I have love the quilts in books for years but had only seen a few "in person." They are so beautiful -- at a distance one kind of beauty, up close another. I kept trying to imagine working on one. What an experience that must be. Thank you again.

Toni Bauman		03-May-2005 20:21
Please accept my gratitude for posting pictures of your Amish Quilt Collection. With a trip to Denver scheduled in the near future, I was checking the Denver Art Museum shows for May and early June. I bounced to your site from the Denver Art Museum. My day is brighter, my spirit lighter. The quilts are impressive, your efforts to share them the same. Toni Bauman

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