Other Motif - Banana

Floral Motifs on Early Chintz

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Flower Color as Seen on Chintz

Motifs Other Than Flowers

Scientific Name

Common Name

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Musa sp. - Banana Plant

Musa sp. (Banana Plant) published as Musa paradisiaca by Edouard Spach, Histoire naturelle des végétaux: Atlas, plate 102, 1848

Musa sp. (Banana Plant) growing in San Diego Botanic Garden

Musa sp. (Banana Plant) from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Valance, c. 1810-1820 (made)

Common Names: Banana Tree, Plantain Tree

Description: Musa sp. (Banana Plant) is a members of the Musaceae (Banana) family. The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 5, p. 424-5 recorded four species of Musa. Of these four the species, the one shown on the textile is possibly Musa rosaceae or Rose Colored Plantain Tree, native to Mauritius, as the textile design is inspired by the romantic novel, Paul et Virginie, set in Mauritius.

Quilts with this Musa sp. (Banana Plant) motif:

None known at this time

Printed cotton with this Musa sp. (Banana Plant) motif:

Victoria and Albert Museum, Valance, Object Number T.259-1982, ca. 1810-20 (made)

Additional Musa sp. (Banana Plant) Motifs

Musa sp. (Banana Plant) from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum, Palampore (India); cotton; H x W: 365.8 × 266.7 cm (144 × 105 in.); Museum purchase from Restricted Funds; 1968-78-2

Quilts with this Musa sp. (Banana Plant) motif:

None known at this time

Palampore with this Musa sp. (Banana Plant) motif*:

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum, Palampore (India), Acccession Number 1968-78-2, mid to late 18th century

* Identification of this palm was provided by Dr. Robert Read per Alice Baldwin Beer, Trade Goods - A Study of Indian Chintz (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1970), 61.