Floral Motifs on Early Chintz
Epiphitic Bromeliaceae - Epiphitic Bromeliad
Bromeliad Vriesea fosteriana photo by Chhe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Epiphitic Bromeliaceae (Epiphitic Bromeliad) from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Furnishing Fabric, Object Number T.57-1964, made between 1825-1835
Bromeliad Billbergia incarnata from the Hipólito Ruiz and José Antonio Pavón, Drawings of the Royal Botanical Expedition to the Viceroyalty of Peru (1777-1816), plate 255, 1777
Common Names: Bromeliad
Description: Epiphitic Bromeliads (those growing on other plants such as trees) are members of the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), a mainly tropical plant family composed of about 75 genera and about 3600 species. The image on the textile resembles several species of both the Billbergia and Vriesea genera, but is quite general and has unrelated flowers apparently sprouting from its central cup. Obviously the textile designer was more concerned about artistic design than botanical accuracy. While there are numerous epiphitic bromeliads, several other members of the Bromeliaceae, such as pineapples, are ground dwelling.
The Hortus Kewensis does not metion either Billbergia or Vriesea, but epiphitic Bromeliads were known in Europe from at least as early as 1777 when the Drawings of the Royal Botanical Expedition to the Viceroyalty of Peru (1777-1816) was published.
Quilts with this Epiphitic Bromeliaceae (Epiphitic Bromeliad) motif:
Chintz with this Epiphitic Bromeliaceae (Epiphitic Bromeliad) motif:
Description: Epiphitic Bromeliads (those growing on other plants such as trees) are members of the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), a mainly tropical plant family composed of about 75 genera and about 3600 species. The image on the textile resembles several species of both the Billbergia and Vriesea genera, but is quite general and has unrelated flowers apparently sprouting from its central cup. Obviously the textile designer was more concerned about artistic design than botanical accuracy. While there are numerous epiphitic bromeliads, several other members of the Bromeliaceae, such as pineapples, are ground dwelling.
The Hortus Kewensis does not metion either Billbergia or Vriesea, but epiphitic Bromeliads were known in Europe from at least as early as 1777 when the Drawings of the Royal Botanical Expedition to the Viceroyalty of Peru (1777-1816) was published.
Quilts with this Epiphitic Bromeliaceae (Epiphitic Bromeliad) motif:
- None currently known
Chintz with this Epiphitic Bromeliaceae (Epiphitic Bromeliad) motif:
- Victoria and Albert Museum, Furnishing Fabric, Object Number T.57-1964, made between 1825-1835
© Updated 5/15/2022 Author: Terry Tickhill Terrell