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
This paper, a revision of an authentic 19th Century French damask, was found m...This paper, a revision of an authentic 19th Century French damask, was found more recently as a painted piece of artwork in a Parisian studio. It is a common misconception that colours used in historic decoration were exclusively drab; the rich shades,...more
Two colourways of this iconic 1970s paper are known to have existed in a Frenc...Two colourways of this iconic 1970s paper are known to have existed in a French book from 1975. Both originals were neutral in colour and printed on an embossed paper, giving the effect of linen. Whilst several of the contemporary interpretations are...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
An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates ...An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates back to the early 1800s when such designs were hugely popular. The original colourway, featuring orangey stars on a pinky-yellow ground, was discovered on an upper floor of a...more
This mid-18th century paper, found in Cranford, Middlesex, has a yellow floral...This mid-18th century paper, found in Cranford, Middlesex, has a yellow floral ogee motif printed on to thick, hand-made rag paper. It is unusual because yellow, although a popular colour, was expensive and prone to fading. It was manufactured using...more
Zingara was the name given to this design in a John Line collection produced i...Zingara was the name given to this design in a John Line collection produced in 1960. The colourway Cerulean Sea is also completely faithful to the document found in the wallpaper archive at Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery. The elegant freehand line...more
An early block print design, the original paper once adorned the walls of a gr...An early block print design, the original paper once adorned the walls of a ground floor room, most probablya dining room, in a historic house in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Its simple graphic elements are typical of a design thatwould have been cut from...more
From the hand-printed ‘Apsley Collection’ by John Line & Sons, this relaxed in...From the hand-printed ‘Apsley Collection’ by John Line & Sons, this relaxed interpretation of an urban Hampstead scene is attributed to designer Els Calvetti. All the line detail is retained and even the original colourways of grey and blue have been...more
An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates ...An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates back to the early 1800s when such designs were hugely popular. The original colourway, featuring orangey stars on a pinky-yellow ground, was discovered on an upper floor of a...more
An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates ...An abstract paper, which, despite its contemporary appearance, probably dates back to the early 1800s when such designs were hugely popular. The original colourway, featuring orangey stars on a pinky-yellow ground, was discovered on an upper floor of a...more
From the hand-printed ‘Apsley Collection’ by John Line & Sons, this relaxed in...From the hand-printed ‘Apsley Collection’ by John Line & Sons, this relaxed interpretation of an urban Hampstead scene is attributed to designer Els Calvetti. All the line detail is retained and even the original colourways of grey and blue have been...more
This paper, a revision of an authentic 19th Century French damask, was found m...This paper, a revision of an authentic 19th Century French damask, was found more recently as a painted piece of artwork in a Parisian studio. It is a common misconception that colours used in historic decoration were exclusively drab; the rich shades,...more
Zingara was the name given to this design in a John Line collection produced i...Zingara was the name given to this design in a John Line collection produced in 1960. The colourway Cerulean Sea is also completely faithful to the document found in the wallpaper archive at Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery. The elegant freehand line...more