Printed Patchwork Doll Quilt, circa 1885

This printed patchwork doll quilt shows scenes from The Mikado, one of Gilbert & Sullivan's best-loved and most famous operettas. The Mikado opened in March 1885 in London. By the end of the year at least 150 European and American theater companies were producing this comic operetta. The Mikado helped fuel an interest in all things Japanese during this time.