Category: Identity Religion

Cotton Challah Cover, about 1962

The Sabbath meal on Friday night, including braided challah bread, is an important ritual of the Jewish faith. A loaf of challah is embroidered here surrounded by Stars of David and a Hebrew from the Book of Genesis describing the completion of creation, after which God declared the Sabbath: “And there was evening and there was morning on the sixth day. Heaven and Earth and all that were with them were completed.” This cover was made by the lender’s mother in about 1962 from a commercial pattern and was used in the family for decades. 

Cotton thread on cotton ground. Made by Miriam Finkel. Lent by Amy Finkel, M. Finkel and Daughter

Baltimore Album Quilt, 1847-48

Album quilts assembled with blocks contributed by individuals were a nationwide fad, but those made in and around Baltimore developed a unique and extraordinary regional style. Some include blocks celebrating Baltimore landmarks, heroes, or local culture.

Album quilts were often gifts from parishioners to departing pastors. This is the only one to name the ladies’ sewing group responsible: “Presented to the Revd Mr McGee on Leaving Severn circuit by the Ladies of his Society…a small token of their Love & esteem for him.”

Cotton top, filling, and backing; ink. Gift of Wendy Kammer in honor of Herbert Thomas Magruder from his family 2017.6

Embroidered Bible Cover, after 1816

The names of Elizabeth Patterson and her husband George, married in 1816, personalize this Bible but the maker (probably Elizabeth) chose not to use religious symbols, not uncommon for mainline Protestants.

Wool tent stitch, cross stitch, and crewel work on canvas. Probably Northumberland County, Virginia. Gift of Helen Joan Finley Halsey 542