“A look through favorites among my more intricately pieced antique quilts reveals a surprising number of quilts designed with a centralized diamond motif,” says NYC Americana antiques dealer Laura Fisher of FISHER HERITAGE.

Whether in quilts titled Barn Raising Log Cabin, Trip Around the World, Sunshine and Shadow (by the Amish), Concentric Diamonds, or a more personal name, from the early 1800s through the mid 20th century the configuration of a centered diamond for the principal design varies. The precise, studied placement of usually contrasting colors organized in row generates concentric diamonds that radiate out to the corners. Other formats might feature just one large diamond made with a single color fabric at the center, framed by smaller corner triangles of another color. The shapes can be either straight edged or bordered with tiny triangles that give it the ‘sawtooth' appellation. The center diamond goes way back to the early 1800 sat FISHER HERITAGE in her chintz applique with an outlined diamond, a rare Broderie Perse discovery in never-used condition.

Because of its monumentality when viewed from a distance, a central diamond is always dynamic. In pieced quilts made with many varied scrap fabrics, instead of limited colors specifically bought to create the pattern, the eye appeal increases when studied close up.

Among the “diamonds” available now at FISHER HERITAGE are:

POSTAGE STAMP DIAMOND IN A SQUARE TO INFINITY PIECED QUILT, c. 1920s

its 15,000 less- than- one- inch squares are combined by hues to create a unique effect

AMISH CENTER DIAMOND PIECED QUILT, c. 1940s

an iconic pattern in wool from Lancaster Co, PA whose red diamond center pulsates against it neighboring colors

LOG CABIN BARN RAISING PIECED QUILT, c. 1880

Fine wool challis in a variety of prints emphasizing the brilliant violet invented in that era

SAWTOOTH DIAMOND PIECED QUILT, c. 1860s

Fine small scale prints in one of the earlier examples of this monumental pattern

FOUR PATCH CENTER DIAMOND POSTAGE STAMP WITH GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS PIECED QUILT

postage stamp size squares in many cotton prints from the  late 19th century

SUNSHINE AND SHADOW PIECED QUILT, c. 1930s

Another iconic Lancaster Co, PA Amish pattern whose center diamond of pieced squares is always framed with a wide solid color border

BRODERIE PERSE CHINTZ APPLIQUE QUILT, c. 1820

Floral printed chintz cutouts form an unusual center diamond outline with inner and outer floral clusters

BOWMANSVILLE BARN RAISING PIECED QUILT, c. 1880s

The distinctive piecing of that PA town uses half triangles of light and dark colors to configure radiating diamonds

ONE PATCH CENTER DIAMOND WITH ONE PATCH BORDER PIECED QUILT

A single 1930s fabric alternating with white makes a light and fresh variation

BARN RAISING LOG CABIN PIECED QUILT, c, 1900

A variety of reds create harmonious ‘dark’ diamonds alternating with diamonds of white prints and red prints that form a zig zag stepped secondary design 

                       Contact Laura Fisher………………………………………………………………………..917/797-1260