Floral Motifs on Early Chintz
Colchicum autumnale - Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) (published as Colchicum crociflorum) from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, vol. 53, plate 2673, 1826
Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) from a 21st century Reproduction Fabrics company (reproductionfabrics.com) reproduction of  an early 19th century printed chintz medallion
Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) public domain picture by Chris Dixon
Common Name: Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron Common Meadow Saffron, Crocus-Flowered Meadow-Saffron, Naked Ladies
 
Description: Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) is a member of the Colchicum Family (Colchicaceae).  The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 2 listed this species as native to Britain.

Quilts with the originial version the above Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus)  motif: 
 
  • Charleston Museum, Chintz Album Quilt Made for Former Governor James Hammond, Social Fabric: South Carolina's Traditional Quilts, p.15, 1846-1848
  • Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, One of a Collection of Appliquéd Quilt Squares Made by the Family and Friends of Mary B. Clarke (later Mrs. David H. Porter), Object Number 2002-73,1, Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection, p. 107, dated 1849
  • Ardis and Robert James Collection, International Quilt Museum, Medallion Quilt, Object Number 2007.040.0001, Chintz Applique: from Imitation to Icon, plate 11, 1830-1850 
  • Byron and Sara Rhodes Dillow Collection, International Quilt Museum, One Patch Quilt, Object Number 2008.040.0046, 1820-1840
  • Charleston Museum, Hannah Noland Henderson Quilt Top, Shelving Locator 2013.6, c. 1830

Printed cotton with a highly accurate reproduction of the above Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) motif: 
 
  • Reproduction Fabrics, Reproduction of Chintz Panel (Waldvogel Panel #32), printed 2011




Also, check out the November 17, 2018 Chintz Panels in Quilts blog Butterfly and Bowl Panel 32 (https://chintzpanelquilt.blogspot.com/2018/11/butterfly-and-bowl-panel-32.html) by Merikay Waldvogel and Barbara Brackman for several pictures, citations, and more information about the printed panel on which this motif occurs. 
Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Design for a Chintz by Peter, Made in France, dated 1794
Quilts with the above Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus)  motif: 
 
  • None known at this time.

Pattern for a printed cotton with this Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) motif: 
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Design for a Chintz by Peter, Made in France, Object Number D.1374-1908, dated 1794

 






  ©  Updated 8/30/2020   Author: Terry Terrell