Crazy Quilt, dated "February 23, 1901"
Unidentified Quilt Maker
Inscribed date: "February 23, 1901"
64 x 76 inches
Found in New York State
Crazy quilts are defined as quilts made of non-repeating (random) shapes. Period. They can be made of very fancy fabrics and with lots of surface embellishment -- but the also can be made of cotton or wool -- without much embellishment.
This one, dated 1901, is primarily wools, and has been hand-embroidered around each seam, emphasizing the shapes. On a wall, it's a strongly graphic, abstract work of art.
Quilt makers were working in abstract art at (and even before) the turn of the 20th century. An interesting time line.