Quilter's Quips and Tips: Oldest Block Design?

Saw this guy at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. We aren't sure if it's the oldest quilt block design, but it looks like the Log Cabin pattern has been around a while. What do you think?

Comments

#10 rosevt 2017-03-30 11:56

Our local Flemming Museum had several mummified cats wrapped in this same log cabin design - I wonder what they called it back then? It certainly wasn't log cabins!

#9 TinaB 2017-03-30 08:23

I took a class a few years ago called Fiber Arts: Quilting in America, and we had to do a research assignment. I chose this very thing as my assignment. It turns out that there were Egyptian mummies and their cats found wrapped in log cabin quilt tops (no batting or backing). I could probably dig up the pictures I used in the PP presentation if you want to see them.

#8 dorquilt 2017-03-29 13:39

I was always told by my 'quilt' teacher, Pat McKay that the oldest piece of quilted fabric was found in the Egyptian Tombs........no thing new under the Sun....

#7 Tinilou 2017-03-29 13:04

I agree with #5jogibson we should rename it the sarcophagus spiral. Sometimes I think there isn't much that is new, things keep being brought back to life. I love looking at museums and finding "the new thing or design" in the old, just with a twist.

#6 GPSmith 2017-03-29 11:59

According to various sources, the first civilization arose 78,000 years ago. This oldest civilizations discovered to date have left behind designs which are now incorporated into what quilters now call quilt block designs. 12,000 years ago early people crossed a land bridge which then existed to become the many cultures of the Americas from Peru to Alaska. Ancient designs we now so simply call quilt block designs are incorporated into buildings, clothing and art, of the ancient cultures. During travels from Turkey to Machu Picchu if one pays attention to detail in mosaics (at Pompeii, Rome, etc.) to giant megalithic construction (Peru, Egypt, etc.) old designs are found which are now used in quilt blocks of modern times. Why were those designs used? What did they represent?
My question is who/how/when/wh y did those designs get translated into ancient tapestry, fabrics, then quilts of today? All very interesting questions to think about!!

#5 jogibson 2017-03-29 10:00

Maybe we should rename it the sarcophagus spiral!

#4 Lovequilter 2017-03-29 09:11

This is a great example of finding inspiration in unusual places.

#3 Ann s. 2017-03-29 09:08

On a trip to Italy, I was totally fascinated by the quilt like patterns in the floors and ceilings. The fact that they had a 3D appearance was mind boggling just as the log cabin pictured above.

#2 teresa.webster 2017-03-29 07:59

There are two Egyptian mummified cats in The British Museum, one in 'log cabin' wrapping and one in what appears to be a 'courthouse steps' pattern.

#1 Lynn Rhoades 2017-03-29 06:51

Wow! That is really wild.

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