(Note from Nann: I suppose that the reporter was given the announcement of the show and told to make it into a story. Juxtaposing "querulous" and "quilts" is alliterative, but querulous means "fretful, whining, habitually complaining" -- rather disagreeable! And "beautiful and affordable reproductions" and "made in developing countries"??.... However, I'm glad to have the notice of the show. I haven't been to it for several years--great high-end stuff.)
Perhaps even thinking of starting a collection, but don't know the first thing about getting started?
weekend, where antique American quilts are a highlight, are disposed to answer your questions on this most desirable of handcrafted textiles.
of old quilts available, many made in developing countries, owning a quilt that is a true American antique has an appeal like few others. But there are some things you should take into account before you plunge.
assistant curator of the JPMorgan Chase collection, "Glorious: American Handiwork from the JPMorgan Chase Art collection," a special exhibit at the Winnetka show of handcrafted textiles, including exceptional 19th and 20th Century crib and doll quilts and a special flag quilt. "Read the history of quilts, find out where textile dealers are in your city so then you can focus on what you like, as far as style, period, condition and price," he adds.
visually. Buy a quilt because you love it. Buy the best you can afford," says George Allen, a partner with Gordon Wyckoff in the Raccoon Creek Antiques LLC in Oley Forge, Pa.
pencil lines are still visible," Allen says, referring to the penciled-in patterns quilters follow for the quilt stitching.)
folded and in blanket chests. Some were made for presentation. Ladies would get together and present a quilt to a pastor, not to be used but to be cherished." A lot of them were made in special fabrics.
quilting the better -- 9 to 11 stitches per inch is very good. When you loosen it to 2 to 3 stitches per inch, you don't get the same impact. The Amish and Mennonites are well-known for their quilting as well as their graphic impact."
rectangular, interesting for their eye appeal, and hired hand quilts [3 by 5 to 6 1/2 feet] made for trundle or camp-type beds," says Allen.
Harvey Pranian of Harvey Art & Antiques in Evanston. That is because they were more often used and became soiled and laundered. "But they are desirable ... if one is going to hang them as a work of art, they take up much less space." (Many full-size antique quilts measure 110 inches square.)
War era is going to be worth more than one from the 1930s.
boldly graphic Amish quilts for a long while. "The visual elements are very important and so is color. A quilt, however, can be visually interesting but the colors are just awful. A lot of 30s and 40s quilts had a lot of pastels to them, not as appealing as quilts that are blue and white."
general. "It will be commensurate with as many of these elements that are present. If the quilt has been repaired or has some damage to it, it will affect the value," says Pranian. Which brings us to the subject of restoration.
for a quilt that does not need restoration.
such as one he came across, "a great, great appliqued quilt with figures and sayings on each square. It needed some work, but ultimately it was a $30,000 [quilt]."
it]," says Allen. "Use conservators who specialize. Be aware restoration will alter the value of the quilt, depending on the amount of restoration done. The best conservators will be candid, tell you the conservation will cost $750, and the quilt is only worth $1,200. Do you want to go with it?"
fabric, quilting and provenance, the history of the object, so what you get is something of quality that will continue to be valuable," says Allen. "There are lots of dealers out there who have reproductions for sale, imported from China by the thousands, and don't know it. Go with American and go with Early."
abroad offering American, English and Continental furniture and accessories, antique American flags, antique jewelry, period silver, folk art, pewter, paintings, porcelain, vintage clothing, prints, antiquarian books, textiles and Oriental rugs.
a dinner buffet. Tickets are $85 in advance, $100 at the door, includes three-day show admission.
opportunity to learn about antiques from the experts. There will be raffle prizes, complimentary wine and cheese, live music. Docent tours led by Jason Molchanow, assistant curator of the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection, will be held at 9 and 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday. These tours provide an opportunity to preview "Glorious: American Handiwork from the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection," a special exhibit of handcrafted American textiles and works of folk art that include exceptional 19th and 20th Century quilts, hooked rugs and more. All Friday events are complimentary with show admission.