Fragment of an embossed gilt leather panel with scrolling foliage, fruit and flowers with, in between these, a dragon and a snail. Painted with a red ground, England, ca. 1850-1879.

Fragment of an embossed gilt leather panel with scrolling foliage, fruit -vines, pomegranates, plums and apples- and flowers, with in between these a dragon, snake, and butterfly. The gilded pattern on a red ground. The embossed pattern has been produced by pressing it from the back, instead of from the front as was usual in 17th-century Holland. Because of this method, the back shows many more details than the front of the panel.

Given by Alexander Rottmann

This panel was sent out to Tokyo (Japan) about 1879, and served as a model for the Japanese leather industry. In 1882 the donor, Alexander Rottmann, established a wallpaper factory in Yokohama, Japan 'Rottmann, Strome & Co.' (Rottmann & Co. from c.1890).

The Museum's Acquisition file records:

Mr. A. C. A. Rottmann,
12 Evelyn Gardens,
South Kensington, S.W.7.

The above, a descendant of Carl Rottmann, the Bavarian painter, but himself an Englishman, called today. He has retired from business. He stated that when Sir Purdon Clarke was Director [of the Museum; 1896-1905], he was instrumental in procuring many examples of Japanese art for the Museum. He lived in Japan. He stated that he is a member of the Japan Society and knows Col. Strange. He also said that he formerly had a wall-paper manufactory.'

(V&A: MA/1/R1770, 2 August 1926).

Panels with the similar pattern, but from a 17th-century origin, are in the Deutsches Tapetenmuseum, Kassel, inventory number 91/91; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, inventory number RBK 18255; Gruuthuze Museum, Bruges, inventory number unknown; Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague, inventory number 2.519-2522. Compare wallpaper at V&A Museum, museum number E.479-1967

W.24-1928