Hovering Hawks quilt, or Geometric Patchwork quilt

Harriett Theetge James, artist

1865–1929

Hovering Hawks quilt, or Geometric Patchwork quilt, circa 1900–1929

Where object was made: United States

Material/technique: quilting; appliqué; cotton; patchwork; piecing

Dimensions:
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 78 x 66 in
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 167.64 x 198.12 cm

Credit line: Gift of Miss Iva James

Accession number: 1972.0139

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"Geometric Abstractions: Quilts 1870 to 1990," Jun-2002, Samantha Schramm
Red and white triangles make up the blocks of this unusual geometric pattern that is reminiscent of Birds in the Air, Tree of Life, or Pine Tree designs. The names of the pattern suggest that the artisit deliberately transformed an observation from nature into an abstract equivalent. The quilt's allover pattern of red triangles suggests movement through space and contributes to the strong visual impact of the work.

Archive Label 2003:
Even though the pattern of Goose Tracks was commonly used, Christina Hays Malcom created strikingly new effects by making the design out of a variety of different textured and colored scraps of left-over fabric.

More than others, scrap quilts depend on the different textured fabrics and the juxtaposition of light and dark pieces. They require a considerate selection of unusual fabrics to give the quilt life and depth.