This s a very special qulit block, and is actually quite famous. This means that I know all about it, who made it, when and why. The letter that came with it is from the Victoria & Albert Museum in the 1970's, but I didn't really need to read it, because it is photographed and described fully in the book 'Quilts 1700-2010' Edited by Sue Prichard, V & A Publications, 2010. If you are lucky enough to have this superb book, do look at it as a full page image on page 78 and read all about it on page 75!
The V & A have two identical quilt blocks and they are special because of what they commemorate. Look at the text around the inner border of the piece. It says: 'Princess Charlotte of Wales married to Leopold Prince of Saxe Cobourg, May 2nd 1816'
We then have small panels representing the happy couple; two crowns, a Prince of Wales feather plume with a crown and 'Ich Dien', then at the base, a lion & unicorn shield with crown and 'Dieu Et Mon Droit' [God & My Right].
A beautiful bouquet centre which includes lilac, a small border of roses and even mock spangles around the edge complete the piece.
I have included an image of the wedding gown of Princess Charlotte because it is so famous: Made of 'silver lama on net over silver tissue slip lined in white satin' [National Trust.] And of course the story of Princess Charlotte & Leopold is the most touching, romantic and tragic one, so well told by the National Trust, but I simply have to write a blog about it as well!
I know the maker of the quilt block and that it was printed in the year of the marriage, and will be able to tell you more about this tragic couple in the Blog, but for now, here is the quilt block, measuring 12.5" wide and 9.25" deep, made of 'cotton canvas' [although not a canvas we would recognise today], and mounted onto board then enclosed at the back with linen sewn around the edges.
A most remarkable historic textile.