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1825 - 1840 Susan Strong's "Great Seal" Quilt

Strong, Susan

An appliquéd and embroidered adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States centers this cotton quilt made by Susan Strong in the early second quarter of the nineteenth century. Susan probably made this quilt in Ohio, where her family moved prior to 1820. The Great Seal has been in use since 1782 to authenticate documents issued by the United States government. Adaptations of this patriotic motif, a bald eagle with its wings spread, have been used on many quilts.

Date

1825-1840

Type

quilt

Medium

fabric, cotton (overall material)

Department

NMAH

Institution

National Museum of American History

Object number

nmah_556469

Credit

Credit Line Restricted