Late 18th-Century French Provençal Quilt with Block-Printed Iris Border

Description and Details

A large late 18th-century French Provençal quilt made with a single, continuous block-printed face. The mezzaro print reaches the very outer edge; moving inwards, the same cloth carries bearded irises in madder reds and purples with indigo details, followed by smaller floral sprigs. None of these areas is a separately applied border. The scale and complexity of this integral design speak to a particularly fine printed textile of its day. Quilts with this iris design are rare and sought after.

The quilt is hand stitched in fine diamond and channel patterns, with a linen backing showing the character of early hand-spun and woven cloth.

There is wear towards the centre of the printed face. The mezzaro print at the outer edge is particularly worn and frayed after long use. It is offered unwashed and untreated, and the photographs show the areas of wear.

Measures 213 × 240 cm.