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Design
Leman, James, born 1688 - died 1745 - Enlarge image
Design
- Place of origin:
Spitalfields, England (designed)
- Date:
28/05/1712 (designed)
- Artist/Maker:
Leman, James, born 1688 - died 1745 (designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Pencil, pen and ink and watercolour
- Credit Line:
Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund
- Museum number:
E.1861:8-1991
- Gallery location:
In Storage
The design on the left depicts a purple meander, on which are four floral sprigs, on a plain ground consisting of the blank paper, on which are scattered four other purple sprigs. There are five extra motifs, of an irregular shape and size, pasted on at the foot of the page, which are alternative designs for the scattered motifs of this design. This design is dated May 28th 1712.
James Leman was born in 1688 into a weaving family of Huguenot descent. In 1702 he was apprenticed to his father, Peter, and lived with his family in Stewart Street, Spitalfields in London. Leman's inscription on the design reveals that it was commissioned by Mr Hinchcliff. Two generations of mercers with this name bought silks from the Lemans between 1712 and 1747.
This design is from an album that contains 97 designs for fine silk cloth. A constant supply of fashionable new designs from which to create new lines was required, so patternmakers and master weavers like Leman supplied a wide range of designs for different weavers. The album contains some of his work from the period 1706-1716.
