Mosaicon
Quilling Kit
1870-1890 (made)
1870-1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Kit for making filigree paperwork ("Mosaicon"). The kit is contained in a red box. On the lid is pasted a label which reads 'Mosaicon or paper mosaic materials: price five shillings: Bemrose and Sons, London, 10 Paternoster Buildings, and Derby.' The box contains packets of strips of paper, loose strips of paper, short lengths of wood for rolling the paper, and some sheets of instruction and advertising.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mosaicon (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Paper |
| Brief description | Kit for making filigree paperwork, 'Mosaicon', in a red box. English, ca. 1870-90. |
| Physical description | Kit for making filigree paperwork ("Mosaicon"). The kit is contained in a red box. On the lid is pasted a label which reads 'Mosaicon or paper mosaic materials: price five shillings: Bemrose and Sons, London, 10 Paternoster Buildings, and Derby.' The box contains packets of strips of paper, loose strips of paper, short lengths of wood for rolling the paper, and some sheets of instruction and advertising. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Mosaicon or paper mosaic materials: price five shillings: Bemrose and Sons, London, 10 Paternoster Buildings, and Derby.' |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Ethel A. G. Willoughby |
| Object history | Given to the V&A in 1934 by Miss Ethel A. G. Willoughby [R.P. 34/3598]. The V&A Library has a short book by William Bemrose, Jun., 'Mosaicon: or paper mosaic and how to make it', dated 1882 (2nd ed.). It seems likely, therefore, that this kit dates from the 1880s. |
| Bibliographic reference | The following excerpt is from 'Traditional Interior Decoration', October 1987, by Clare Graham (Precious Paperwork).
'The earliest examples [of paper-work] in the V&A date from the Stuart period. The art still has its devotees today, notably in the USA, where it is known as 'quilling, since the papers are sometimes coiled around a quill. The museum's collection includes a kit of ready-cut strips of paper and patterns which dates from the 1880s. Its maker, William Bemrose, also produced a handbook entitled 'Mosaicon: or paper mosaic and how to make it' (a copy of the 2nd edition, dated 1882, is in the National Art Library). He could supply all the necessary materials, including "a variety of foundations for many useful and ornamental objects, such as brooches, brackets, book-sides, spill-cases, caddies, carte-de-visite and other frames, watch pockets, boxes in a variety of shapes, hand screens and panels. Monograms are easily introduced".
Unconciously recalling an early use of the art, he suggests that "Mosaicon is well adapted for church decoration...where it has a very rich, jewelled effect when viewed at a disatance".
It was, according to Bemrose, the ideal hobby: "We know of no light employment, less costly, yet at the same time possessing such pretty, and to the eye, such valuable results, for it possesses to a surprising degree the appearance of jewels"'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.40-1934 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
