Owen Jones, 5 designs for decoration of spandrels for V&A Oriental Courts. 1863-1864.

Drawing in pencil, gouache, watercolour, and gold paint on paper. This coloured design shows five isolated, ornate decorative schemes for spandrels. The decoration used for each scheme is unique. Four of the schemes are characterised by foliated arabesques, floral motifs, and decorative borders. The fifth features several different, repeating ornamental motifs interspersed in a grid configuration. Some creasing, foxing, staining, fingerprints, and compass holes.

A Science and Art Department Board minute précis dated 25^th April 1863 indicates that Owen Jones was to be asked to suggest decoration designs for the Oriental Courts. His general designs for the Indian and Persian Courts were seemingly ready by 21^st September 1863, when another Board minute précis mentioned payment to Jones for 'Oriental Section' designs and the approval of Thomas Kershaw's tender for their execution in decoration. Kershaw also executed the decoration of the Chinese and Japanese Courts, and had seen Jones' corresponding designs by 12^th May 1864. Jones' payment estimate for these designs was accepted on 31^st May. These particular spandrel designs were probably never translated into the actual decoration of the Oriental Courts.

E.3610-1931