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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Piecework quilt in saw design made by enslaved persons in Montgomery, Alabama

ca. 1847

Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A piecework quilt in a sawtooth design made by enslaved persons from the home of Sidney Lanier in Montgomery, Alabama. The quilt consists of blocks composed with strips of triangular pieces set in an alternating light and dark pattern to create a sawtooth design. The blocks are set against red borders. The reverse has a black background with red flower motif and cotton strips. The fabric is discolored and stained in places.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2017.108.5

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