Rail Fence Quilts

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.