Antique, new and vintage quilts can add a welcome decorative dynamic to your space, whether they’re positioned as wall art in your bedroom (just as you might hang a tapestry) or draped over your side tables or the seating in your living room.

Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor.

For early American colonists, quilts were a crucial source of warmth and comfort. In the 19th century, quilting was a popular activity for women to socialize and commemorate important events, such as weddings or the birth of a child. Distinctive regional variations developed, from the vibrant quilts made in the African-American community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, to Baltimore album quilts with beautifully appliquéd blocks.

If you’re looking to introduce an eye-catching flourish to a bedroom or living room, quilts provide a pop of color and texture to corners that might otherwise be difficult to decorate.

Find a wide range of vintage quilts made from materials like cotton, wool and silk on 1stDibs.

A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light

At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.

Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster

The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.

Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns

Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.

Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art

The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.