Rose of Sharon - Sawtooth Border

Abstract

Classification: Building Furnishings, Bedding, Quilt. Materials and Techniques: Appliqued Cotton. Style/Period/Movement: Physical Description: This quilt is a Rose of Sharon pattern, popular in the mid 19th century and also during the 1920nulls and 1930nulls. The Rose of Sharon pattern references a biblical passage found in The Song of Solomon 2 "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." It is believed that the Rose of Sharon actually symbolized a tulip that is native to Palestine. Often, Rose of Sharon Quilts were made to celebrate marriage. Traditionally, the quilts were made of red and green fabrics on a white background. Typically they take the form of a repeating circular floral pattern but there are many variations that developed. It is also known as the Whig Rose, Democrat Rose, Wild Prairie Rose, Colonial Rose, Kentucky Rose, and Mexican Rose (para. Judy Anne Breneman, http://www.patternsfromhistorty.com/bible.quilt/bible_rose.htm).

This quilt is made of light orange, red, pink and green calico on a white background. The quilting follows the pattern and between each flower, the quilting is in a grid pattern. There is a red and green calico sawtooth inner border that was quilted in the sawtooth pattern. The outer border is white quilted in a traditional chain pattern. The back of the quilt is white.

This quilt was reproduced on F&M President James Powellnulls (1983-1988) Christmas Card. Exhibition History: "Lancaster Celebration 250: Quilts with Stories" July 10-26, 1992, Historic Lancaster Trust Building. Rothman Gallery, F&M College, Spring 1995. Collection or Donor: From the Robert L. Schaeffer Jr. Collection donated to the college in 1987. It is said that Schaeffer (American 1918-2001), an avid collector of American folk art, often crossed paths with the Duponts. The collection largely represents a narrow geographic region consisting of Pennsylvania German objects and was accumulated over four decades. Robert L. Schaeffer, Jr. purchased quilt from Hatti Brunner (1890-1982), Antiques dealer from Reinholds, Pennsylvania in the