Not currently on display at the V&A

Curtain

ca. 1885 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Curtain of block-printed cotton velvet comprising of three seamed lengths. The fabric shows a central panel of 36 inches wide, but as only one selvedge remains, this is unlikely to be the original width of the fabric. An Eastern inspired design showing stylised artichokes arranged within a vertical meandering stem repeating alternately with triple petalled flowers. Willow branches and acanthus leaves dip and curve throughout the design and present more British elements to an otherwise Indian pattern. The design is printed in cream and pale blue on a dark blue ground. The pattern is matched on the right hand seam but not on the left.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Block-printed cotton velvet
Brief description
Curtain of block-printed cotton velvet, designed by Thomas Wardle, Leek, ca. 1885
Physical description
Curtain of block-printed cotton velvet comprising of three seamed lengths. The fabric shows a central panel of 36 inches wide, but as only one selvedge remains, this is unlikely to be the original width of the fabric. An Eastern inspired design showing stylised artichokes arranged within a vertical meandering stem repeating alternately with triple petalled flowers. Willow branches and acanthus leaves dip and curve throughout the design and present more British elements to an otherwise Indian pattern. The design is printed in cream and pale blue on a dark blue ground. The pattern is matched on the right hand seam but not on the left.
Dimensions
  • Length: 85.75in
  • Length: 217.9cm
  • Width: 61.5in
  • Width: 156.3cm
Object history
Purchased. Registered File number 1986/105. The curtain appears to have been unpicked from a lining at some time and there is evidence of a machine-woven heading, now unpicked.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
T.3-1986

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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