At a recent Stansted Valuation Day, we had the privilege of consigning a remarkable collection of four beautifully handcrafted quilts by Maureen Baker (British Contemporary School). They will be offered in our 22 July Homes & Interiors Auction, with all proceeds generously donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
15 July 2025
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The vendor, Gill, was a close friend of Maureen’s for over 60 years. This cause holds deep personal significance for her - Maureen sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s just a year ago, and Gill’s former husband also lost his battle with the disease nearly three years earlier.
Maureen led a vibrant and extraordinary life. She first stepped onto the stage at just nine years old, and her passion for dance soon propelled her into the spotlight as a Windmill Girl - renowned for lifting the spirits of servicemen and British audiences during the war. Her talent later took her to Paris, where she joined the legendary Bluebell Girls, famed for their glamorous burlesque performances and signature high-kick routines. Dance remained a lifelong passion and constant thread in Maureen’s story.
Life offstage was equally dynamic. Maureen lived in the UK, Paris, and the United States. She met Gill while working as a telephonist for BT - the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Maureen’s husband, a film industry production buyer and stuntman, often took her across the globe on his assignments. Together, they shared an extraordinary marriage that spanned seventy years.
In quieter moments, Maureen turned her boundless creativity to dressmaking, knitting, and eventually quilting - a craft in which she became entirely self-taught and soon excelled. Inspired by Baltimore Beauties by Elly Sienkiewicz, she quickly gained recognition. In 1996, she won First Prize (Intermediate Quilts) and Second Prize (Decorative Quilts) at the National Patchwork Championships (UK). In 2001, she took First Prize at Quilts UK with her stunning, hand-stitched wholecloth quilt, Fuchsiarama.
Maureen Baker (British contemporary school) Two textile quilt hangings, comprising: 'Oriental Interlude', signed and dated 2004, 91 x 134cm, and 'Reflections', signed and dated 2001, 89 x 66cm (2). Estimate £100-200
Of the quilts consigned, Gill holds a special fondness for a piece crafted from Japanese silk - inspired by a traditional Japanese wall hanging and adorned with delicate blossoms and birds.
The collection will be offered in pairs, each pair carrying an estimate of £100–£200.
We are honoured to present Maureen’s artistry at auction and hope her enduring legacy will help advance the vital work of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
homesandinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
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