Dramatic 1930s Hawaiian Quilt with Provenance
If you saw the Oscar-nominated film “The Descendents,” which is set in Hawaii, you may have noticed the gorgeous Hawaiian quilts that appeared in various scenes. While this particular example did not appear in the movie, it has its own unique history. According to a hand-written label on the back side of the quilt, it was made in 1936 by Efrieda Pilcer Bates of Honolulu and was presented to Mr. Garnett Studebaker in 1947.
As the photos show, this is a botanical quilt with an intricate design cut from a single piece of red cotton fabric, which is appliquéd to a neutral cotton background. The maker then attached the quilt top to the brilliant purple backing by hand stitching a row of white thread around the entire design. Again, as the photos show, on the purple backing, the white stitches appear as an outline of the botanical design. A hand sewn red boarder frames both the quilt front and back.
The artfully-made quilt is in very good overall condition, with a few areas of yellowing due to age that are visible on the neutral fabric, as well as a few missing or loose stitches to the front side. Measuring 98-1/2” X 85”, the quilt is large enough and sturdy enough to dress a queen size bed. It’s also dramatic enough to serve as a piece of original wall art.
SOLD