The peacock was an established symbol of the Aesthetic movement (‘Art for art’s sake’) of the 1890s, and around 1900 Jeffrey & Co. adopted it as their logo to emphasise their association with the highest artistic standards in design. They had printed William Morris's wallpapers since 1864, and under the guidance of the sole proprietor, Metford Warner (from 1871), they employed some of the best designers of the day - including Walter Crane, Lewis F. Day, B. J. Talbert and C. F. A. Voysey. The firm's products regularly won medals and prizes at international exhibitions.
Physical description
One of three volumes containing bills (circa 1838), pamphlets, press-cuttings, price lists etc (circa 1848-1915) and account book (for 1869), all relating to wallpapers produced by Jeffrey & Co.
Page 52 is an advertisment for Jeffrey & Co. Artistic Wallpapers, featuring a peacock with 'Jeffrey & Co.' written in his feathers; Lithograph on paper.
Place of Origin
London, England (printed)
Date
ca. 1907 (printed)
Artist/maker
Jeffrey (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Lithograph on paper
Dimensions
Height: 27.3 cm, Width: 21 cm
Object history note
Given by Mrs Margaret Warner.
Descriptive line
One of three volumes containing bills (circa 1838), pamphlets, press-cuttings, price lists etc (circa 1848-1915) and account book (for 1869), all relating to wallpapers produced by Jeffrey & Co.; Page 52 is an advertisment for Jeffrey & Co. Artistic Wallpapers, featuring a peacock with 'Jeffrey & Co.' written in his feathers; Lithograph on paper.; England; ca. 1907.
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:
'693
Three volumes containing bills (circa 1838), pamphlets, press-cuttings, price lists etc (circa 1848-1915), together with an account book (for 1869), all relating to wallpapers produced by Jeffrey & Co.
44.5 x 28 cm (each)
Given by Mrs Margaret Warner
E.42A (1-3), 42B-1945'
Saunders, Gill. Wallpaper in Interior Decoration. V&A Publications. London. 2002. pp. 35, pl 28.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'28. Advertisement for Jeffrey & Co.'s Artistic Wallpapers, c.1907
Lithograph
E.42A(3)-1945 (p.52)
Given by Mrs Margaret Warner
The peacock was an established symbol of the Aesthetic movement, and around 1900 Jeffrey & Co. adopted it as their logo to emphasise their association with the highest artistic standards in design. From 1864 they had printed Morris's papers and under the guidance of sole proprietor Metford Warner (from 1871) they employed some of the best designers of the day - including Walter Crane, Lewis F. Day, B. J. Talbert and C. F. A. Voysey. The firm's products regularly won medals and prizes at the International Exhibitions.'
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1945, London: HMSO, 1956.
The full text of the record is as follows:
'ANONYMOUS: Wall-papers
...
Volumes (2) containing bills (c.1838), pamphlets, press-cuttings, price-lists, etc. (c.1848-1915), together with an account book (for 1869), all relating to wall-papers issued by Messrs. Jeffery and Co.
E.42A, 42B-1945
Given by Mrs. Margaret Warner'
Subjects depicted
Peacock
Categories
Advertising; Wall coverings
Collection code
PDP
