The Pokeberry Quilt

The Pokeberry Quilt

Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Pictorial Quilt by Harriet Powers

 
I've admired this Pictorial quilt by Harriet Powers for years.  I started reproducing it several years ago, didn't get very far and have now decided to pick it up again.  Harriet Powers was an African - American slave, folk artist and quilt maker from rural Georgia who stitched this quilt between 1895 and 1898.  Her applique blocks tell biblical and celestial stories in a bold folk art style. Photo is courtesy of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

 
A Pattern book from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts that I had purchased with only line drawings to reproduce the blocks.  I scan the print on my computer and enlarge each block to a size that comes close to the original and approximate the design and layout.
 
 
I'm prepping block three. 
 
 
The descriptive caption from Harriet describes block three as 'the serpent lifted up by Moses and women bringing their children to look upon it to be healed'.
 
 
The first two blocks that I have completed.  Block one depicts 'Job praying for his enemies.  Job's crosses.  Job's coffin.  Block two depicts 'The dark day of May 19, 1780.  The seven stars were seen 12.N. in the day.  The cattle all went to bed, chickens to roost and the trumpet was blown.  The sun went off to a small spot and then to darkness'.

8 comments:

  1. What size are the blocks, Nancy. They look quite large.

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  2. You are doing a beautiful job with the blocks. I got one done with the jan patek series and then made a mess on the second, I am horrible with small pieces and points.

    Debbie

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  3. This quilt will be quite stunning!

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  4. I remember reading about this on Saundra of Woodland Junction, it was fascinating to see her rendition of it, and now yours. That dark day mentioned and the crosses and coffin, wow! amazing! Hope to see it as you go along!

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  5. I was very taken with this story when I read about it at "Woodland Junction".
    Your quilt will be beautiful and have a story to tell.
    Rose

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  6. I was wondering if you were going to make any more of the blocks and I see that you are. I look forward to more.

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  7. Anonymous7:01 AM

    What an exciting project. I'll be anxiously awaiting your completed blocks!!!!!

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