Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am considered by many to be an expert on AMERICAN ANTIQUE QUILTS. My real expertise lies with ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS and in 2006 the book, "ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS, THE DARWIN D. BEARLEY COLLECTION" WAS PUBLISHED BY BERNINA SEWING MACHINE COMPANY OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND. I can help with all aspects of identification, dating, repair and cleaning. I also buy, and broker antique quilts.

Experience in the area

Over the past 30 odd years, I have bought and sold ANTIQUE QUILTS for a living. I also have a personal collection of Antique Ohio Amish Quilts. I have sold to the Smithsonian, the LA County Museum of Art, the movie "What Lies Beneath" starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer and to Catherine Denuuve. My Antique Ohio Amish Quilt Collection has been exhibited at The Museum of Our American Heritage, The Akron Art Institute, The Canton Art Museum, Wright State University and The Quilt National in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have also been exhibited in Germany and France and recently at the Quilt Expo in Houston, Texas. Many of the quilts have been published in various books, magazines and calendars. One was even pictured in National Geographic Magazine. Recently a book on my collection was published by Bernina Sewing Machine Co. of Zurich entitled, "Antique Ohio Amish Quilts, The Darwin D. Bearley Collection"

What do you like about this subject?

My background is in the fine arts and I enjoy antique quilts because I see them as paintings done with fabric rather than with paint.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I hope that I can continue to find unusual and unique examples of antique quilts especially Amish Quilts

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Quilts are not strictly an American art form they were made in many other parts of the world including England, France Sweden and Australia.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Most people who have antiques quilts that have been handed down in their family, usually think the quilts are years older than they actually are.