For me, that quilt is plenty big enough as it is. I don't use quilts as bedspreads but rather to snuggle under on the couch or to throw over the top of the bed as an extra covering/blanket on a cold night. If they are too big then they are too heavy and cumbersome for me to handle.
I'm with others in a plain border to stop the business and either bind it in the same plain color or make a scrappy binding of all different materials that would coordinate with the quilt. The way I use quilts I always make the border and binding with fabric that is not going to show the dirt easily since that is a heavy wear point.

What a great find. How about a soft brown border rather then a black one?

So lucky for you to find it. I am with the others that think it just needs a binding. You could get a neutral colored bedspread to cover your bed and top with this quilt.

I posted to this thread yesterday but now am wondering..... I don't know what St. Vinnie's is but, if it is a thrift shop, did you look with their fabric pile to see if, by chance, the same donation with the quilt top had some fabric of the same era? The intended border might be there!

I would do what lynnie suggested...

Whatever fabric you decide on you may want to tea-dye first to give it an aged appearance. Good luck!

That was my thought also.

It's beautiful. I agree with everybody else - you will find in your heart what to do and make the right decision. I went through finding the right border for a Civil War reproduction fabric quilt I'm working on - just take your time and enjoy!

I like the idea of the muslin and brown borders. Love the pattern and so glad you found it.

I love it...wish I had the same luck as you. I have never found an old quilt that wasn't just almost in rags. I guess everyone around here used or loved theirs to bits!! I think anything you do will look great. You have so many options just go with what speaks to you. Just make it scrappy and it will work.