Floral Motifs on Early Chintz
Pelargonium zonale (or Pelargonium x hortorum)- Zonal Geranium
Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) by Rameshng [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) from Private Collection, Irregular Fabric Fragments, c. 1830
Pelargonium zonale in A.J. Cavanilles, Monadelphiae classis dissertationes decem, vol. 1(4): p. 234, plate 98, fig. 1, 1787
Common Names: Geranium, Zonal Geranium, Zonal Pelargonium, Horse-shoe Geranium, Common Horse-shoe Crane's-bill
 
Description: Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) is a member of the Geranium Family (Geraniaceae). The Hortus Kewensis, ed. 2, vol. 4 recorded that this native of the Cape of Good Hope was introduced to Britain in 1710.  Pelargonium zonale is the wild form of this plant while Pelargonium x hortorum is the name of the hybrid forms derived by plant breeders from this plant (the horticultural varieties).  The horticultural varieties generally have more noticeable or more colorful zones on their leaves.

Quilts with this Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) motif: 
 
  • The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Printed Furniture Fragment, Museum Object Nos. 1969.3113, 1969.3922.001, 1969.3922.002, c. 1830
  • The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Printed Furniture Fragment, Museum Object Nos. 1969.0507.001A, 1969.0507.001B, 1969.0507.002A, 1969.0507.002B, c. 1830 (different background from examples above, floral motif the same)
  • The Poos Collection, House in the Woods Diamond in a Square Quilt, Chintz Quilts from the Poos Collection, p. 152, c. 1820

Chintz with this Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) motif: 
 
  • Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) from Private Collection, Irregular Fabric Fragments, c. 1830 


           Additional Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) Motifs
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Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) from the Private Collection, "Tree of Life Center Medallion Frame Quilt with Blue Jays", Blanket Statements 130 (Fall 2017):1, dated 1845 
Quilts with this Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) motif: 
 
  • Private Collection, "Tree of Life Center Medallion Frame Quilt with Blue Jays," Blanket Statements 130 (Fall 2017):1, dated 1845 
                More Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) Motifs
                                                                (No pictures available at this time)



Quilts each with a different Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) motif: 
 
  • International Quilt Museum, Medallion Quilt, Made by Mary Taylor, Object Number 2011.067.0001, American Quilts in the Industrial Age, 1760-1870, p. 148-149, dated 1849
  • Historical Society of Plainfield (NJ), Tree of Life Quilt made by a daughter of John Hart of Hopewell, Mercer County (NJ), New Jersey Quilts 1777-1950: Contributions to an American Tradition, p. 57, 1777 (this date is questionable)

Chintz with a Pelargonium zonale or Pelargonium x hortorum (Zonal Geranium) motif: 
 
  • The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Printed Furniture Fragments, Museum Object Nos. 1969.3252, 1969.4594 A, 1969.4594 B, 1969.4594 C, c. 1810-1820  (The geraniums on this fabric and the geranium motif on the International Quilt Museum, Medallion Quilt Made by Mary Taylor above are quite similar and may have used some of the same printing blocks or been printed by the same textile company.  Linda Eaton shows this textile and mentions Bannister Hall as printing a similar design on p. 259 of her Printed Textiles book.)



   ©  Updated 5/01/2022      Author: Terry Terrell