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1870 - 1890 Margaret O'Sullivan Langford's "Star of Bethlehem" Quilt

American History Museum

Star of Bethlehem Quilt
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  • Star of Bethlehem Quilt
  • Detail of Star of Bethlehem Quilt

    Object Details

    maker

    Langford, Margaret O’Sullivan

    Description

    Margaret Langford pieced this version of “Star of Bethlehem” also known as “Harvest Sun” or “Prairie Star” in the later part of the 19th century. The nine pieced blocks are set off by 14-inch and 7¼-inch plain white squares to create a dramatic overall design. It is quilted, 10 stitches per inch, with outline and diagonal grid patterns. Three sides have a 2½-inch printed cotton border.
    Margaret O’Sullivan was born in 1852, to Jeremiah (1814-1884) and Elizabeth “Betty” Osburn (1824-1876) O’Sullivan in Spencer County, Kentucky. She married Larkin R. Langford on October 8, 1867. They lived in Anderson County, Kentucky. She died on April 13, 1894, in Spencer County, Kentucky. Another of her quilts, in the “Spider’s Web” pattern, is in the collection of the Kentucky Historical Society.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of Rear Admiral W.R. Sheeley

    date made

    1870-1890

    ID Number

    TE.T16320

    accession number

    302336

    catalog number

    T16320

    Object Name

    quilt

    Physical Description

    fabric, cotton (overall material)
    thread, cotton (overall material)
    filling, cotton (overall material)

    Measurements

    overall: 82 in x 72 in; 208 cm x 183 cm

    place made

    United States: Kentucky, Anderson

    See more items in

    Home and Community Life: Textiles
    Textiles
    Domestic Furnishings
    Quilts

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Quilting

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-b8d2-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_556518

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