U.S. "Star of Bethlehem" Crib Quilt 1840 - 1900.
Although The United States is a secular state, it did not wish to emulate the religious persecution and violence long characterizing Europe. There was already a great degree of diversity of religious viewpoints among the states when the Bill of Rights was signed on Dec. 15, 1791. As the First Amendment asserts: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Nevertheless, many 19th century Americans were as deeply religious as their ancestors. American families demonstrated their faith through homemade items such as woodcarvings, samplers, paintings, and quilts. This example, depicting the iconic star of Bethlehem, manifests the artistic imagination and technical skill that have since led to the recognition of quilts as a leading form of American folk art.


As the Gospel of St. Matthew (2:1-2) relates, "There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Scholars and clerics have long argued over details of the story, but this quilt maker had no doubts about its symbolism. Such a star must be large, dazzling; outshining all other stars in the heavens".

Intentionally or not, the merging of America's colors of red, white, and blue with this iconic Christian symbol reveals little tension in the mind and home life of the quilt maker over the separation of church in state upheld in the U.S. Constitution.

Exhibition History:

First Presidio Exhibit



Second Presidio Exhibit

Publication History:

Madaus, Howard M., Dr, Whitney Smith, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict. Santa Cruz: VZ Publications, 2006, p. 14.

Provenance: Acquired by the Veninga Flag Collection in 1996. LV02. (Now ZFC3567)

ZFC Significant Flag

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