The Quilt Collection
The collection of quilting and patchwork at Amgueddfa Cymru contains examples of bedcovers from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries, together with smaller items such as cushion covers, linings from christening baskets, eighteenth-century petticoats and a christening gown worn by Peter Morgan of Golden Grove in 1722. The quilt collection at the Museum dates back to the 1930s. Although a few examples of quilts had been donated to the Museum in 1914, no systematic collecting had been undertaken prior to the establishment of the Department of Folk Culture and Industries in 1932.
The collection is available to view by appointment. If you would like further information, please contact the curator using our Email Form.
Scroll down through our collection of quilts which are listed in the following categories:
Commemorative quilts
Patchwork and appliqué quilt made by Mary Lloyd of Cardigan in 1840.
A marriage quilt made by Mary Miles of Berthlwyd Farm, Quakers Yard, in 1886.
Detail of a wholecloth marriage quilt made by Mary Miles of Berthlwyd Farm, Quakers Yard, in 1886.
A sateen quilt decorated with printed signatures. It was sent to the Welsh War Relief Committee in 1942 from Edmonton, Canada.
Detail of a sateen quilt decorated with printed signatures. It was sent to the Welsh War Relief Committee in 1942 from Edmonton, Canada.
Detail of a marriage quilt made in Maesteg in the 1920s.
A wholecloth wedding quilt made in Maesteg in the 1920s.
A quilt made from a range of printed cottons. The central panel contains a portrait of Caroline of Brunswick, consort of King George IV. Made in Brecon in about 1820.
An unlined patchwork bedcover. Made by the Richards family of Darowen, possibly to commemorate the building of their new parish church in 1863.
Detail of a wholecloth quilt from Abergwawr made to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
A wholecloth quilt from Abergwawr made to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Hexagonal patchwork
A patchwork table cover used at Llwyn Onn Hall, Wrexham. Made from cotton dress fabrics and chintzes which date from about 1780-1820.
A cotton patchwork bedcover made by a dairy-maid at Llanharan House, near Llanharan, in 1886.
A bedcover of predominantly red and lilac cotton prints. Made mid-to-late 19th century by Esther David of Llanfabon.
A 19th century patchwork bedcover from Cardiff. Mostly made from cotton chintzes.
A bedcover of hexagonal cotton prints arranged in cables. Given as a wedding present in 1874 to A. C. Humphreys-Owen of Glansevern House, Welshpool.
Detail of an unlined patchwork bedcover. Made in Llantrisant in 1886.
An unlined patchwork bedcover made in 1886 in Llantrisant.
A 19th century patchwork quilt from Wick. Made from a range of printed cottons.
A quilt of red and white hexagons arranged in diagonal bands. Made by Elizabeth Edwards of Cardiff in 1870.
Comments - (18)
Greetings from Philadelphia in the United States,
My interest in quilts arises from my study of the Phenomenon of Diagonality, which emerged worldwide at the end of the 19th century and continues today. It is a little-understood and grossly underestimated artistic phenomenon that I have been studying for 50 years. I came upon the idea of diagonality when I was a student of architecture at the University of Pennsylvania (1957-63). I didn't realize the important relationship of quilts to my theme until I stumbled upon the crazy quilts motif that I am now investigating. If you are interested in knowing more about the Phenomenon of Diagonality, please check out my website devoted to that subject: www:centerfordiagonality.org When you get to the site, don't click one of the images (it will take you nowhere); go to the menu in the upper lefthand corner. You may also enjoy seeing my professional website - www:joellevinson.info
Hi Karen
The quilt collection remains in storage as we continue to work on our new gallery spaces. If you would like to make an appointment to access the collection, please contact me through this Contact Page.
Thanks, Elen
Many thanks,
Karen
Thank you for your enquiry. The quilt collection remains in storage as we continue to work on our new gallery spaces. We promise it will be worth the wait! In the meantime, you will spot one or two on display in the historic buildings and you are most welcome to make an appointment to view examples in storage. However, I’m afraid we cannot fit you in the week after Easter – my diary is already full. If you would like to make an appointment over the summer, please do get in touch with me directly.
Best wishes
Elen [elen.phillips@museumwales.ac.uk]
Sumai Tudor,
Thank you for your enquiry - I will pass it on to the curator, who will either respond here or follow up with you via email.
All the best,
Sara
Digital Team
You have a wonderful collection of quilts.
My mother's family hail from Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham and we believe that you may have a quilt in your collection that has been made by a member of our family.
My mother's maiden name was Edwards and the family lived at Bryn Celyn, Princess St.
Would you be kind enough to look into this, and let me know if this is the case.
Hwyl fawr
Tudor Davies
Hi Carmel,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately, the quilting collection is currently in storage as we are currently redeveloping our indoor galleries.
However, the collection is available to view by appointment. If you would like further information, please contact the curator using our Email Form
I hope you have a great visit and thanks again for your enquiry.
Sara
Digital Team
Hi there Judith,
I have passed your enquiry on to our curator, who will follow up with you by email.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Sara
Digital Team