Not currently on display at the V&A

Aztec

Dress Fabric
1947 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Designed by Patrick Heron in 1947, this print was produced by Cresta Silks Limited, who were based in Welwyn Garden City. Patrick Heron was an artist and the son of Tom Heron, who founded Cresta Silks Limited in 1929. Heron was the head designer for the company between 1944 and 1950; designs were also commissioned from other British artists like Graham Sutherland and Paul Nash. After the Second World War screen printing was introduced, which allowed more flexibility with design than block-printing had done previously. Cresta Silks fabrics were produced for an upper-middle class market, and were sold through mail order as well as their own shops. Heron's early designs tended to be floral, but his style became more abstract after the War, as seen in Aztec.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 6 parts.

  • Dress Fabric
  • Dress Fabric
  • Dress Fabric
  • Dress Fabric
  • Dress Fabric
  • Dress Fabric
TitleAztec (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Screen-printed rayon
Brief description
Set of dress fabrics 'Aztec' of screen-printed rayon, designed by Patrick Heron, made by Cresta Silks Ltd., Hertfordshire, 1947
Physical description
Set of dress fabrics of screen-printed rayon. White and pink abstract design on lavender.
Dimensions
  • Repeat width: 12.5cm
  • Repeat length: 15cm
  • Each width: 18in
  • Each length: 24in
Production typeMass produced
Production
Cresta Silks Ltd was founded in 1929 by Tom Heron and specialised in the production of innovative block-printed silk dress fabrics designed by leading British painters including Paul Nash and Cedric Morris.

Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
Designed by Patrick Heron in 1947, this print was produced by Cresta Silks Limited, who were based in Welwyn Garden City. Patrick Heron was an artist and the son of Tom Heron, who founded Cresta Silks Limited in 1929. Heron was the head designer for the company between 1944 and 1950; designs were also commissioned from other British artists like Graham Sutherland and Paul Nash. After the Second World War screen printing was introduced, which allowed more flexibility with design than block-printing had done previously. Cresta Silks fabrics were produced for an upper-middle class market, and were sold through mail order as well as their own shops. Heron's early designs tended to be floral, but his style became more abstract after the War, as seen in Aztec.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.106 to E-1947

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 31, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSON