Walter Crane (1845-1915) was a painter and illustrator, and also a designer of stained glass, metalwork, tiles, pottery, wallpapers and textiles. He was a prolific designer and produced many wallpaper designs; most of these were produced by Jeffrey & Co., the firm which also printed William Morris's wallpapers.
Under Metford Warner, the proprietor of Jeffrey & Co., the company became one of the most innovative and successful wallpaper manufacturers in Europe. They raised standards of design in the industry by employing artists such as Crane.
Physical description
Portion of 'Day Lily' wallpaper with design of lilies in predominantly dark blue, turquoise, green with some yellow and gold. The background is dark blue with a large circle motif at regular intervals (one complete circle on this portion) composed of small rings in gold. The lilies are printed in turquoise blocked lines with the blue background showing through, and have green stalks; Colour woodblock print, on paper.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
1897-98 (made)
Artist/maker
Crane, Walter (R.W.S.), born 1845 - died 1915 (designer)
Jeffrey (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Colour woodblock print, on paper
Dimensions
Height: 74.5 cm, Width: 50.8 cm
Descriptive line
Portion of 'Day Lily' wallpaper; lilies, predominantly dark blue, turquoise, green with some yellow and gold, on a dark blue background with a large circle motif at regular intervals composed of small rings in gold; Designed by Walter Crane; Colour woodblock print, on paper; Produced by Jeffrey & Co.; England; 1897-98.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'874
Nine portions, in 8 colourways, of 'Day Lily'
Produced by Jeffrey & Co.
1897
Colour prints from wood blocks
Various sizes
E.2316-1932 given by Harris & Sons
E.5145-5151-1919; E.2316, 2317-1932
Reproduced in St James' Budget, 15 April 1898. Exhibited Art Nouveau in Britain, Arts Council, 1965, no 28.'
St James' Budget, 15 April 1898.
Design reproduced.
Exhibition History
Art Nouveau in Britain (Arts Council 01/01/1965-31/12/1965)
Labels and date
British Galleries:
Walter Crane was the first president of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He developed his figurative style through illustrating books, having served his apprenticeship in 1859 to William Linton, woodengraver, under whom he trained as a draughtsman on wood. He was a prolific commercial designer and worked for many different manufacturers. Crane moved from painting murals on walls to designing wallpapers in the 1870s. He designed fifty wallpapers for Jeffrey & Co. from 1874. Fourteen years later, Crane wrote an essay entitled 'Of Wallpapers' for the 'Arts and Crafts Exhibition Catalogue'. [14/12/2000]
Production Note
Reason For Production: Retail
Materials
Paper
Techniques
Colour woodblock print
Subjects depicted
Lilies; Circles
Categories
Prints; Wall coverings
Production Type
Mass produced
Collection code
PDP
