Gee’s Bend Pettway Quilt Design Oblong Silk Scarf

The extraordinary craftswomen of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, have nurtured the art of quilting since the 19th century. Astonishing in their originality, each abstract quilt interweaves history and narrative, resourcefulness and innovation. This scarf celebrates the Housetop and Bricklayer with Bars quilt (ca. 1955) by Lucy T. Pettway (American, 1921–2004). This exceptional textile is the only Gee’s Bend quilt in the Museum’s holdings that appears to be intentionally pictorial; Pettway realized an imaginary aerial view of the old Pettway plantation, formerly belonging to Joseph Gee.

© 2021 Estate of Lucy T. Pettway / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York