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DARWIN D. BEARLEY

U.S.
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Expertise

I am considered by many to be an expert on AMERICAN ANTIQUE QUILTS. My real expertise lies with ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS. In 2006 the book, "ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS, THE DARWIN D. BEARLEY COLLECTION" was published by Bernina Sewing Machine Co. 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"

Publications

Antique Ohio Amish Quilts, the Darwin D. Bearley

Education/Credentials

BFA FROM OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. MFA FROM UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

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

Average Ratings

Recent Answers from DARWIN D. BEARLEY

2012-05-07 2 crazy quilts 1890 and ?:

Hello Kathy,    I'm going to recommend you go to http://quilthistory.com/.    On the left of the site you'll see a list and there is a link to Quilt Appraisers and Quilt restorers.    I did not see any

2012-02-04 antique quilt from Pa.:

I was hoping for a picture of the whole quilt.    From what I can see in your picture, it appears to be from the 2nd to 3rd quarter of the the 20th Century and most likely has a wool blanket inside instead

2012-02-04 antique quilt from Pa.:

Barbara, can't tell you much from that picture, too small...

2012-01-31 antique quilt:

Dorothy;    What you have is NOT a quilt but a "Table Rug" or matt.      Yes, it was made to lie on a table or possibly a side board or something similar.    It's a bit hard to date since your picture

2011-12-16 cleaning quilt:

Alan,    Without seeing your quilt and it's stains, I can't really offer any cleaning suggestions nor can I give an estimate of value.    You can always go to Ebay and do a search  for quilts that have

 

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