Tired of all the xenophobic flag waving by some vociferous presidential candidates that characterizes this endless campaign while it reveals little knowledge of our American history ?!
For real, historic expressions of patriotism, consider instead some flag bedecked, slogan filled textile folk art from the past two centuries featured at FISHER HERITAGE. “On the basis of their evocative graphics alone, clients love American symbolism in flag and patriotic artifacts that canpress their political interest. In addition, with a bit of research, there’s an educational benefit too.”
Our patriotic textiles date from the Korean War, World Wars I and II back through the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial to amazing pre-Civil War woven coverlets. Flags - always plentiful at campaign time - typically were manufactured just for momentary use. Those that wound up in quilts or in frames are remarkable survivors.
American flag imagery on textiles today is ubiquitous, even flagrant, in clothing and home furnishings, in contrast to formerly being considered criminal not so many years ago. And keep in mind that to make a quilt with a flag or patriotic symbols once was the only acceptable way for women to express their politics before the vote was secured.
Among the patriotic antique quilts and textiles available now at FISHER HERITAGE are:
* a WASHINGTON ON HORSEBACK DOUBLECLOTH COVERLET possibly by James Cunningham, corner block inscribed United We Stand, Divided We Fall, also inscribed United We Prosper, red and white, woven for Sarah M. Deninson (withthose inscriptions, this would make a fitting guft for Hillary!)
* a remarkable WORLD WAR I CROCHET SPREAD emblazoned “Long May She Wave” depicting doughboys, patriotic slogans and flag symbols
* an 1876 CENTENNIAL QUILT pieced of kerchiefs of the American flag within a framework of flags of the nations that exhibited in Philadelphia
* an AMERICAN FLAGS QUILT pieced of 84 CIGAR BOX FLANNELS. c. 1915-20
* a NAVAJO WEAVING/RUG of the American Flag with 48 stylized 6-point stars c. 1950
* a SAILOR’S SOUVENIR SILKWORK ”Remembrance of my Cruise in China, Japan and Philippine Waters”, a Japanese embroidered picture with flags and an eagle, for the Great White Fleet c. 1910
* AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR INDEPENDENCE New York State DOUBLECLOTH COVERLET in indigo and white, signed and dated 1843
* a three-dimensional “TARGET’ or “PINE BURR” QUILT pieced of 1900s flag bunting
* THE STAR SPANGLED QUILT, a dramatic uncommon pattern in red, white and blue cotton
* lengths of patriotic flag themed bunting from long ago parades and demonstrations
* actual antique American flags, some with 37, 45, 46, or 48 stars, all having been proudly flown
and more.
The selections are visible on line at www.laurafisherquilts.com, or seen by appointment only in NYC any of the week.
|