A couple of antique string quilts

These two beauties are in my collection and I thought it was time to give them some air!  This one is a top that I have never quilted because I thought it would ruin the value.  My late husband fell in love with it as much as I did; we bought it at an antique show, but I can't remember where.  In any case, I have been told that it is clearly an African-American work of art because of the way the strips are laid out. Isn't this wonderful? It is a top that I would estimate is late 19th-very early 20th.

This one is very heavy, big stitches, backed with homespun (with a few mouse holes) Strings - same vintage.  I bought this in Florida and it came from an estate in one of the Carolinas.

Now that I have been in Africa, it is obvious to me that these are African-American made. Strips are a traditional recurring motif in many of the crafts.  These are just a couple of examples.

So that's my antique string story.  Enjoy!