Floral Motifs on Early Chintz
Hydrangea macrophylla - Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, Maria and Emma Fish Quilt, Object Number 2005.053.0003
Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) published as Hydrangea hortensis in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 433-468, vol. 13: t. 438 (1799)
Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) Photo taken in the botanical garden of Berlin. Photo by DonBanana [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons.
Common Names: Hydrangea, hortensia, garden hydrangea, Chinese guelder-rose
Description: Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) is a member of the Hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 3 recorded that this plant, first cultivated in China, was introduced to cultivation in Britain in 1788.
Description: Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) is a member of the Hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 3 recorded that this plant, first cultivated in China, was introduced to cultivation in Britain in 1788.
Flowers for which Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) may be mistaken:
Snowball viburnum photo by and (c)2010 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
Lilacs from Revue horticole, serie 4, (1852-1974) (L. Descamps-Sabouret)
Lilacs have four-petaled flowers similar to hydrangeas, but lilac's individual flowers have narrow petals so that each individual flower looks like a cross or a plus signs. Hydrangea individual flowers generally have four petals that are fatter and either slightly pointed or rounded. Hydrangea flower heads (clusters) are either rounded or flattened at the top, while lilac flower heads (clusters) are generally fat at the bottom with a point at the top much like a spear head. Lilac leaves are almost heart-shaped while hydrangea leaves are generally narrower and not indented at the stem end.
Snowball viburnums look very similar to hydrangeas, but are easily differentiated as individual flowers in the head have five petals instead of the usual four petals in hydrangea flowers.
Quilts with the above Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) motif:
- International Quilt Study Center & Museum, Maria and Emma Fish Quilt, Object Number 2005.053.0003, 1843
- None known at this time
Additional Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) Motif
More Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) Motifs
(No pictures available at this time)
(No pictures available at this time)
Quilts with different Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) motifs:
- Stella Rubin Antiques, Lone Star Quilt with Broderie Perse, Item Number 1307562, c. 1830
- The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Bedcover (Wholecloth Comforter), Object Number 1967.0105, 1780-1830
Chintz with different Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea) motifs:
- The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Plate Printed Textile, Object Number 1957.0078, 1750-1760
- National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Patricia Smith Collection, Fragment of an English Bird Print Chintz, Calico & Chintz: Antique Quilts From the Collection of Patricia S. Smith, Plate 29 ,p. 95, c. 1825
© Updated 12/2/2018 Author: Terry Terrell