Publications | Down Survey | 2000 Issue Contents

'He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness'¹
A Bible Quilt
Madeleine McAllister

In 1995 Mr E G Annett of Belfast, formerly of Kilkeel, brought a group of household objects into the Museum for identification. Within the group was a quilt unlike anything we had seen before. After discussion and consultation with colleagues in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum it transpired that the quilt was of a very rare type known as a Bible, Scripture, or Hymn quilt. None of these quilts were previously known in Ireland, although there were a few in museums in England; for example in the Beamish Open Air Museum in county Durham. The quilt was subsequently acquired, with assistance from the Northern Ireland Museums Council, from the Annett family for addition to the collection. (DCM 1997-720)²

The Annett Quilt, detail of centre

The Annett Quilt measures 245cm x 200cm. It is entirely made up from smaller panels ranging in size from l7cm x l7cm to 47cm x l7cm. The large centre panel is 70cm x 47cm. The panels are of white, pink, gold and light blue cotton and have been hand stitched together and quilted on to a backing of white cotton twill. The mass produced panels were pre-printed with bible texts, hymns and illustrations from bible stories. Long strips of white cotton fabric with an abstract pattern in red form a border around sections of the edge.

The Bible texts used come from both the Old and New Testaments and do not seem to have been chosen or positioned with any particular theme in mind. Likewise, the ten hymns have general themes; eight are printed with music and two as verses. (See Appendix 1). The
illustrations, again from the Old and New Testaments, are in the style of popular Victorian engravings commonly used as book illustrations. (See Appendix 2). Twelve of the fourteen illustrations are on square blue panels, the remaining two on white, with the largest, depicting the story of Moses and the Brazen Serpent, forming the centrepiece of the quilt.

Although the biblical messages appear to be arbitrary, there is a subtle pattern in the layout of the panels. The differently coloured and shaped panels have been carefully placed in relation to each other to form an overall symmetrical design. The panels have also been orientated so that the text lies in the same direction in each section, while the hymn panels have been placed to form part of the overall pattern.

We know very little about the origin and purpose of the quilt. Quilts and other textiles commonly pass down the female side of the family, and their origins are often lost as women marry and change their names. The donor was not able to give us much information, but a connection to Scottish Presbyterians is possible. Comparison with other examples suggest that it was made towards the end of the nineteenth century.

Bible or scripture quilts seem to have been quite commonly made, although there are only a few surviving examples. They range from the very plain and utilitarian, where the text is the important feature, to rich and ornate, where the display of fine fabrics and embroidery seems to be almost as important as the biblical message.

The printed panels of the type used to make Down County Museum's bible quilt were mass produced, probably for embroidery samplers and other uses as well as quilts. A very similar quilt recorded by the Quilters Guild Heritage Search has a printed label which the Guild gives as; 'Francis Whitehead, Crayford, KENT. Executor and sole manager for 'The Invalid Widow' . Designed by R. Mimprifs. Set of patterns from 3d upwards.'³ It is possible that the panels have the same source. The Bible Quilt in Beamish Open Air Museum is made up of similar panels, but in this case there are fewer, and they are appliqued on to a background of Turkey Red twill.⁴ Although the panels were mass produced, and their basic layout on the quilts appears to conform to a pattern or set of instructions, there is enough variation in these three quilts to indicate a degree of artistic flair on the part of their makers.

The reason for making these quilts and their use remains something of a mystery. There is a tradition of making bible quilts for use in hospitals. The publication How to Make Common Things, issued in 1890 by the Religious Tract Society of London described the aim as being 'to set before the sick and suffering the Word of God, when they may be unable or unwilling to open the Bible for themselves.'⁵ The panels on these were orientated so that they could be read by the occupant of the bed, or by visitors or occupants of neighbouring beds. The label on the quilt described above suggests that the printed panels were produced for some charitable purpose, though it is not clear whether the maker or the user of the quilt was the charitable case. It is possible that Down County Museum's Bible Quilt was made for use in a hospital or other charitable institution, though its good condition and lack of wear would imply that it was not
actually used.

Coffin covers, known as mort cloths, of fabric embroidered with suitable Bible texts, were used in the Scottish Highlands. The very good condition of the quilt, and the Scottish connection in the donor's family, suggest that it could have been made or used for this purpose. However, as the texts on the quilt do not appear to have 'rest' or 'death' as their theme, as was the norm, this is a very tentative speculation. It is, of course, perfectly possible that in a less secular age the quilt was made as a simple act of piety and intended to be used in the home as constant reminder of the Word of God.

It will be evident that our suggestions about the origin and use of Bible Quilts are entirely speculative, and research is continuing. Down County Museum would welcome any information from the public about this and any similar types of quilt.

Madeleine McAllister is the museum's Assistant Keeper of Collections

1.	Isaiah 61.9
2.	As a result of newspaper articles describing the Annett quilt and requesting information, another similar quilt was generously donated by Mrs Cynthia Douglas of Bryansford. (DCM1998-117) Down County Museum is probably unique in Ireland in having two of these very unusual quilts in its collection.
3.	Quilted treasures; the Quilters Guild Heritage Search (London 1995) 183,185
4.	Janet Rae, The Quilts of the British Isles (London 1987) 107-110
5.	Ibid.