Wallpaper
- Place of origin:
London, England (probably, made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Jeffrey (probably, manufacturer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Colour chiaroscuro print from wood blocks with machine printed background
- Credit Line:
Given by Roger H. M. Warner
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Image unavailable
Object Type
Paper printed or painted with patterns has been used for decorating walls in Britain since the 16th century. In the 1820s French wallpaper makers began to produce pictorial designs which were printed to give the illusion that the image had depth and substance. This 'trompe l'oeil' (deception of the eye) effect was taken up by British manufacturers and it was often used for their most ambitious designs which were shown at international trade exhibitions.
Subjects Depicted
The Elgin Marbles were sections of the frieze and pediments of the Parthenon, a classical Greek temple in Athens. They were named after Lord Elgin who was responsible for removing them from the ruined building and bringing them to London. The marbles were purchased by the British Museum in 1816 and were regarded as national treasures. Many artists, sculptors and designers have been inspired by them.
Historical Associations
More than 50 wallpaper manufacturers exhibited their products at the Great Exhibition which was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in London in 1851. The exhibition was an unprecedented opportunity for the manufacturers to display their best work to a large audience. This wallpaper is probably part of the reproduction of the Elgin Marbles, made by the London firm of Jeffrey, Allen & Co., and exhibited as an 8-metre long frieze.
Physical description
Portion of a wallpaper frieze with a design reproducing part of the Parthenon marbles
Place of Origin
London, England (probably, made)
Date
ca. 1851 (made)
Artist/maker
Jeffrey (probably, manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Colour chiaroscuro print from wood blocks with machine printed background
Dimensions
Height: 29.8 cm max, Width: 50.7 cm max
Object history note
Given by Mr Roger H. M. Warner.
Probably manufactured by Jeffrey, Allen & Co., London.
This paper is probably part of the reproduction of the Elgin marbles, which was exhibited as a frieze (7.32 m long) by Jeffrey, AlIen & Co. at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Descriptive line
Portion of a wallpaper frieze with a design reproducing part of the Parthenon marbles; probably produced by Jeffrey & Co.; ca. 1851.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
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.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'249
Three portions of a frieze with a design reproducing part of the Parthenon marbles
Second quarter of 19th century
Colour chiaroscuro print from wood blocks with machine printed background
29.8 x 50.8 cm (average size)
Given by Mr Roger H. M. Warner
E.33A-1971; E.33B-1971 neg GG.5861 CT 8593
This paper is probably part of the reproduction of the Elgin marbles, which was exhibited as a frieze (7.32 m long) by Jeffrey, AlIen & Co. at the Great Exhibition in 1851.'
Production Note
This paper is probably part of the reproduction of the Elgin marbles, which was exhibited as a frieze (7.32 m long) by Jeffrey, AlIen & Co. at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Materials
Paper; Ink
Techniques
Colour woodblock print; Chiaroscuro; Machine print
Subjects depicted
Men; Horses (animals); Parthenon
Categories
Wall coverings; The Great Exhibition
Collection code
PDP
