Antique French Handsewn Boutis Quilt - Floral Pattern Reverses to Windowpane Plaid

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Description

This antique French boutis is reversible: one side is a rich burgundy, with a spectacular pink, green, and blue floral … Read more This antique French boutis is reversible: one side is a rich burgundy, with a spectacular pink, green, and blue floral pattern featuring stargazer lilies interspersed with small blooms of aster. The reverse is an elegant, textured windowpane plaid of taupe, fawn, and beige. There is also vibrant green overlock stitching on two sides (opposite ends of the quilt.)

This piece truly special due to its being signed by the creator, a Madame Toutain. This is an exceptionally rare feature.

French, ca. 1900-1910
Cotton with cotton fill.
Sewn ENTIRELY by hand.

Unlike American antique quilts, which are fashioned from scraps of fabric, French boutis are usually made of two large pieces of patterned cotton, in contrasting prints and colors. These are then sewn together with a filling of wool or cotton batting sandwiched in between, and finished with a stitched pattern of tight rows or diamonds. These antique quilts possess an abundance of charm, and each has its own distinct character and personality.

This boutis is not large enough for use as a bedspread, and is therefore better suited to use as a throw or to add color and texture to a bed. See less