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The Golden Age

Wallpaper
ca.1880-86 (made)
Artist/Maker
Crane, Walter (designer)
Place of origin
England (made)

Advertisement reproduction of the 'The Golden Age' wallpaper designed by Walter Crane. With a portion of text by Walter Crane discussing his intent for the design; Process half-tone engraving print, on paper.


Object details

Categories
Wall Coverings
Prints
Object type
Wallpaper
TitleThe Golden Age (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Process half-tone engraving, on paper
Paper
Printing Ink
Engraving (Printing Process)
Brief description
Advertisement reproduction of the 'The Golden Age' wallpaper designed by Walter Crane. With a portion of text by Walter Crane discussing his intent for the design; Process half-tone engraving print, on paper; England; ca.1880-1886
Physical description
Advertisement reproduction of the 'The Golden Age' wallpaper designed by Walter Crane. With a portion of text by Walter Crane discussing his intent for the design; Process half-tone engraving print, on paper.
Marks and inscriptions
  • <----- 1’.9” ---> / <----- 3’.0” ---> (Measurements lettered around edge of design.)
  • “THE GOLDEN AGE”. / DESIGNED BY WALTER CRANE. / FOR / JEFFREY & Co. 64. Essex Road. London. N. / PRODUCED IN EMBOSSED LEATHER AND EMBOSSED LEATHER-PAPER / (Lettered below design.)
  • “THE GOLDEN AGE.” / TECHNICALLY, the object in this design has been to / produce as rich and sumptuous an effect as possible. / It is an arrangement of masses and curves upon / the geometric basis formed by the intersecting semicircles of / the garlands, which form a scale pattern, upon which is built, / as on a scaffolding, the varied features of the design. The main / idea is symmetrical, as in the central group of the two amorinis / supporting the trophy of fruit. Rigid symmetry has, however, been / avoided, and the principle blended with the alternate system, as in / the arrangement of the cockatoos which counterbalance each other / on this plan. The goat also serves the double purpose of breaking / the formality and filling the space between the two figures. / As the design is intended to suggest all manner of pleasant / things – enjoyment of life in a happy conition of equality in the / possession of the fruits of the earth, and the revival of innocent / content and animal spirits amid the plenty of nature, excluding all / thought of sickness or sorrow – I have named it “The Golden Age,” / the dream of which, whether in the past or in the future, whether / earthly or heavenly, humanity must always cherish, and which even / if we are sceptical to its past existence or future realisation, we / can at least realise it in thought, and have its image and emblems / upon out walls. / WALTER CRANE./ JUNE, 1886 (Lettered on right-hand of sheet, alongside the design.)
Credit line
Given by Emslie John Horniman, Esq.
Subjects depicted
Putti
Festoons
Trophy
Fruit
Pineapple
Cockatoo
Goats (Animals)
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design, Accessions 1915, London: Printed under the Authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1916.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.4056-1915

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Record createdApril 21, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O227616/the-golden-age-wallpaper-crane-walter/
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