Darwin (c1760) represents one of the Whitworth Art Gallery’s most important re...Darwin (c1760) represents one of the Whitworth Art Gallery’s most important recent acquisitions and,with a twist in its story, this exemplary English piece was actually found intact in a house in Aix-en-Provence, France. The exotic scene accurately...more
The prolific output of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement is widely...The prolific output of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement is widely evident within the National Trust portfolio, not least at Morris’s own London home ‘Red House’. He was a visitor, ‘student’ and 19th Century influencer at the Hencroft Works...more
Whilst the original fragment was discovered at Bayham Abbey, on the Sussex-Ken...Whilst the original fragment was discovered at Bayham Abbey, on the Sussex-Kent border, the paper is likely to have been produced in London. On a red ground, reminiscent of gothic style, the original paper was made from cellulose wood pulp and...more
Whilst the original fragment was discovered at Bayham Abbey, on the Sussex-Ken...Whilst the original fragment was discovered at Bayham Abbey, on the Sussex-Kent border, the paper is likely to have been produced in London. On a red ground, reminiscent of gothic style, the original paper was made fromcellulose wood pulp and...more
Millefleur’ (Montacute House) c.1478 The floral detail in this design is drawn...Millefleur’ (Montacute House) c.1478 The floral detail in this design is drawn directly from an incredibly rare, important and lovingly-conserved object, the oldest tapestry in the care of the National Trust. Residing at Montacute House in Somerset,...more
A frame of lines and spots originally surrounded the cone motifs in this desig...A frame of lines and spots originally surrounded the cone motifs in this design, found in the 1950s wallpaper book “Onward Décor”. These have been removed in the contemporary interpretation to create a simple, very usable ‘retro’ paper that retains all...more
A classic ‘Roman’ or Regency proportion stripe originally produced in the 18th...A classic ‘Roman’ or Regency proportion stripe originally produced in the 18th Century using the ‘open trough’ method, in which the stripes were created by bands of paint seeping through holes or slots in the bottom of a wooden trough, onto the surface...more
This elegant mural, (156cm x 325cm) featuring birds, bees and bluebells has be...This elegant mural, (156cm x 325cm) featuring birds, bees and bluebells has been created from remaining fragments of wallpaper found at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. Originally on a striped background, the remaining source material has been adapted,...more
‘Massingberd Blossom’ (Gunby Hall) c.1905 The wallpaper from which this design...‘Massingberd Blossom’ (Gunby Hall) c.1905 The wallpaper from which this design is drawn, is most likely of British Edwardian origin, but stylistically is very representative of the era’s passion for oriental design, which – in a time of pre-modern...more
This flamboyant floral design featuring large, stylised poppies is a classic e...This flamboyant floral design featuring large, stylised poppies is a classic example of those in production during the late 19th century. Although the designer is unknown, it is thought that it may have been the work of Arthur L. Gwatkin who produced...more
In the late 18th Century, Erddig in Wales was the family home of Philip Yorke ...In the late 18th Century, Erddig in Wales was the family home of Philip Yorke and his wife Elizabeth. They would have selected this hand-painted Chinese wallpaper, lavishly decorated with exquisite birds and flowers, for guests staying in the...more
An elegant, floral trail with sophisticated tonal variation - little is known ...An elegant, floral trail with sophisticated tonal variation - little is known about the history of this paper, but it is likely to originate from the Aesthetic movement in the late 19th Century. The pattern replicates a tiled mosaic, achieving a...more
The prolific output of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement is widely...The prolific output of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement is widely evident within the National Trust portfolio, not least at Morris’s own London home ‘Red House’. He was a visitor, ‘student’ and 19th Century influencer at the Hencroft Works...more
The second paper in this collection taken from Brooke House in Hackney, East L...The second paper in this collection taken from Brooke House in Hackney, East London. For a long period, Brooke House was home to a private hospital and this design takes its name from one of its significant 19th century owners: a Dr John Monroe. The...more