Wallpaper
late 17th century (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The pattern of this paper is almost certainly adapted from decorative plasterwork of the kind applied to ceilings and walls. Ceilings with similar designs are recorded at Somerset Lodge, Canonbury Place, London (1599), and in Scotland at Balcaskie House, Fifeshire (about 1665). This paper was found at 8 West Street, Epsom, Surrey. This was a relatively modest house, probably built for a London merchant. The use of wallpapers to copy or imitate more costly decorative effects, such as plasterwork, tends to confirm the idea that wallpaper was first adopted by middle-class householders in an attempt to emulate the fashions of the rich.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Print from woodblock |
| Brief description | Fragment of wallpaper with design of strapwork borders enclosing a flower spray motif, print from wood blocks, English, late 17th century |
| Physical description | Fragment of wallpaper, with tears and holes, with a design of strapwork- pattern borders enclosing a formalised flower spray motif. Printed in black on buff coloured paper. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Dudley Snelgrove |
| Object history | This paper was found in the down-stairs left-hand front room at 8, West Street, Epsom, behind panelling on the wall opposite the window. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | The pattern of this paper is almost certainly adapted from decorative plasterwork of the kind applied to ceilings and walls. Ceilings with similar designs are recorded at Somerset Lodge, Canonbury Place, London (1599), and in Scotland at Balcaskie House, Fifeshire (about 1665). This paper was found at 8 West Street, Epsom, Surrey. This was a relatively modest house, probably built for a London merchant. The use of wallpapers to copy or imitate more costly decorative effects, such as plasterwork, tends to confirm the idea that wallpaper was first adopted by middle-class householders in an attempt to emulate the fashions of the rich. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.464-1993 |
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| Record created | December 3, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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