Diamond in the Square Quilt1920–194081 1/2 × 79 1/2"Wool, cotton backingGift of Paige Rense1981.4.10Amish quilt, center diamond pattern. DIamond and sashing pieced from pink wool, blue fabric intervening spaces and corner blocks inside border. Wide outside border of deep green wool with dark blue corner blocks, pink wool binding. Quilted with patterns of feather wreaths, outside border; grape clusters and oak leaves inside border and diamond; stylized roses (?),interstices. Applied binding whipstitched to backing. Rose wreath in center diamond; meandering grapevine in inner border; princess feather in outer border.152419294Artist unidentifiedTextilesAmishUnited StatesPennsylvaniaTextilesThe Diamond in the Square is one of the oldest Amish patterns and is found almost exclusively in the Lancaster, Pa communities. Because such large areas of unbroken fabric are needed for this pattern, it is genreally thought that fabric was purchased specifically for the making of a particular quilt. The broad areas of plain fabric provided an excellent field for elaborate quilting executed in tiny stitches and are often stitched in dark thread offering a counterpoint to the rich hues of the fabric ground. There is some suggestion that the pattern derives from a 17th century woodcut "Reconciliation to God," by Thomas Jenner who wrote for the common man illustrating basic points of Protestant doctrine. In the woodcut, Jesus as carpenter joins two frames, one of God and one of man, the diaimond and the square, "by HIS spirit, that combining grew, which sweethly unites them, which before were two." See Anita Schorsch, op. cit.AMISH QUILTTEXTILE
Amish quilts from Lancaster County are traditionally made in wool. From the middle of the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century, a few large scale, geometric patterns were most often used by Amish quiltmakers in this region. These include "Center Diamond" (or "Diamond in the Square"), "Center Square," "Bars," and "Sunshine and Shadow."
Elizabeth V. Warren and Stacy C. Hollander, "Center Diamond Quilt," Expressions of a New Spirit: Highlights from the Permanent Collection of the Museum of American Folk Art (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 1989), 15419201940 1981 4 1 The Diamond in the Square is one of the oldest Amish patterns and is found almost exclusively in the Lancaster, Pa communities. Because such large areas of unbroken fabric are needed for this pattern, it is genreally thought that fabric was purchased specifically for the making of a particular quilt. The broad areas of plain fabric provided an excellent field for elaborate quilting executed in tiny stitches and are often stitched in dark thread offering a counterpoint to the rich hues of the fabric ground. There is some suggestion that the pattern derives from a 17th century woodcut "Reconciliation to God," by Thomas Jenner who wrote for the common man illustrating basic points of Protestant doctrine. In the woodcut, Jesus as carpenter joins two frames, one of God and one of man, the diaimond and the square, "by HIS spirit, that combining grew, which sweethly unites them, which before were two." See Anita Schorsch, op. cit.AMISH QUILTTEXTILE
Amish quilts from Lancaster County are traditionally made in wool. From the middle of the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century, a few large scale, geometric patterns were most often used by Amish quiltmakers in this region. These include "Center Diamond" (or "Diamond in the Square"), "Center Square," "Bars," and "Sunshine and Shadow."
Elizabeth V. Warren and Stacy C. Hollander, "Center Diamond Quilt," Expressions of a New Spirit: Highlights from the Permanent Collection of the Museum of American Folk Art (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 1989), 154