American Civil War era Irish chain name quilt. Comprised of white, red, and blue cloth. There is a handwritten list of Women's Relief Corps presidents specific to a particular chapter, possibly from Iowa.

Lot Essay:
Civil war era quilts are characterized by their scrap-material makeup and their purpose as
means of physical and emotional comfort for civil war soldiers. Charitable organizations such as
the Women's Relief Corps collected donations to produce and distribute quilts to Union soldiers
in need. In other instances individual women would construct these quilts to be sent to sons,
husbands, brothers and other relatives fighting in the civil war. Many of these quilts displayed
the names of donors, quilters, and soldiers related to any of these contributors. Biblical verses
or inspirational messages were also popular. These are known as ‘name quilts’ and are just one
among many popular quilt types during the civil war era.

Authentic civil war quilts are rarely found today, but their memory helps reveal important
networks of support and communication. Quilts represented a memory of home for soldiers,
advocated abolitionist perspectives, were used to raise many for a variety of causes, kept track
of familial records and more generally, acted as a creative outlet for women of the time.

This particular quilt is a name quilt with an Irish chain pattern and a red, white, and blue color
scheme. Various names are inscribed onto the plain blocks of the quilt. In the centermost block
there is a list of Women's Relief Corps presidents specific to a particular chapter. Directly below
this block as well as to the lower-left and upper-right are presumably the names of soldiers
affiliated with the creators and/or donors of the quilt. The block in the lower-right section of the
quilt displays a list of women's names. These women were likely the aforementioned creators
and donors. The block to the lower-left of the centermost square lists the names of two women
identified as the daughters of an unidentified veteran.

The quilt is intact and in good condition considering its age. There are some stains as to be
expected. There is no official stamp of date or organization.
Length: 83 in x width: 70 in. Please contact us for a detailed condition report. Please note that the lack of a condition statement does not imply perfect condition. Email condition@revereauctions.com with any condition questions.