Floral Motifs on Early Chintz
Convallaria majalis - Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) on the Victoria and Albert Museum Printed Medallion by John Bury, Object Number CIRC.606-1956, c. 1815
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) growing in modern garden.
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) Bessler, Basilius, Hortus Eystettensis, vol. 1: Nonus ordo collectarum plantarum vernalium, t. 134, fig. II (1620).
Common Names: Lily of the Valley, May lily, May bells, Our Lady's tears, Mary's tears, or muguet (in France). 
 
Description: Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) is a member of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 2 recorded that this plant is a native of Britain. 
 
Quilts with this Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) motif: 
 
  • Colonial Williamsburg, Petersburg Appliqued Quilt by the Boyle Sisters, Accession Number 1991-644, Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection, p. 102, c. 1840 
  • Private collection of Parks Hutchinson Dalton, Central Medallion Quilt Made by Ann Adeline Orr Parks in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, North Carolina Quilts, p. 49, c. 1826 
  • Private Collection of Martha Laird Harris Washam, Medallion Quilt Made by Elizabeth Brice Cochrane Harris (Gingles) in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, North Carolina Quilts, p. 53, c. 1830-1840 
  • Private Collection of Mary Ann Young, Central Diamond Medallion Quilt Made by Mary Ann Young in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, North Carolina Quilts, p. 54-55, c. 1830-1840 
  • Private Collection of Virginia Williams Kennickell, Medallion Quilt, Maker Unknown, North Carolina Quilts, p. 62, c. 1830-1840 
 
Chintz with this Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) motif: 
 
  • Victoria and Albert Museum Printed Medallion by John Bury, Object Number CIRC.606-1956, c. 1815 
  • Panel 1 in Appendix I of Merikay Waldvogel, "Printed Panels for Chintz Quilts: Their Origin and Use," Uncoverings 34 (2013): 124


                             Additional Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) Motifs

Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) on the International Quilt Study Center and Museum Bars and Flying Geese Chintz Quilt, Object Number 1997.007.0486, c. 1830-1850
Quilt with this Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) motif:  
  • International Quilt Study Center and Museum, Bars and Flying Geese Chintz Quilt, Object Number 1997.007.0486, c.1830-1850

                               














Quilt with this Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) motif:  
  • Charleston Museum, Chintz Applique Quilt, Object Number 1988.16.1, c. 1830
                               
                            More Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) Motifs 
 
                                                            (No pictures available at this time) 
 
Quilt with a different Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) motif:  
  • Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Patricia S. Smith Collection, Pieced Quilt (Strips with Four Patch on Point) Maker's Initials "R.H.V.", Calico & Chintz: Antique Quilts from the Patricia S. Smith Collection, Object Number 1998.149.13, c. 1825


© Updated 12/30/2018    Author:  Terry Terrell
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) on the Charleston Museum, Chintz Applique Quilt, Object Number 1988.16.1. Courtesy of The Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina