Princess Feather quilt, Mary Ann Seeling Kile Elliot

Exhibition Label:
"Quilts: Flora Botanica," Jun-2008, Barbara Brackman and Susan Earle
The Princess Feather with its radiating arms was one of the most popular nineteenth-century appliqué designs. Spencer’s collection contains several examples including one dated 1818, an early use of the image.

Quilt pattern copywriters have linked the design to the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales in which three ostrich plumes represent the heir to the British throne. The future King Edward VII made a popular tour of the United States in the 1850s as Prince of Wales when this quilt top was likely made. It may be that Mary Ann Elliot’s inspiration was the romance of British royalty, but a more homely reference-and one just as familiar to nineteenth century gardeners-was an American plant commonly called Prince’s Feather. Amaranthus hypochondriacus, which has showy red and green leaves like our Christmas poinsettia, looks very much like this windblown design. Author Willa Cather referred to the colorful wildflower in O Pioneers, describing “the wind…teasing the prince’s feather by the door.”