Object Type
In Britain paper printed or painted with patterns has been used for decorating walls since the 16th century. By the late 19th century wallpapers were widely used by all classes, in homes and also in public buildings. Originally, most wallpapers were printed in water-soluble distemper pigments. In 1853 a new method of printing using oil-based colours was invented, which was developed for commercial production in the 1870s. Wallpapers printed in this way were washable and were described at the time as 'sanitary' wallpapers because they were more hygienic.
Design & Designing
Manufacturers protected the copyright on new designs by registering the pattern with the Patent Office Design Registry. When a wallpaper had been registered in this way it had a code or a serial number printed in the margin, which identified the pattern and indicated the year it was registered. The number on this paper indicates that it was registered in 1895.
Materials & Making
David Walker's business was founded in Middleton, Lancashire, in the 1880s. The firm specialised in the production of sanitary wallpapers which were machine-printed, using engraved rollers. Walker's wallpapers were considered to be among the best of their kind because he printed on good-quality paper and used as many as 12 colours for each design.
Physical description
A panel of wallpaper, machine printed, with waterlilies on a lake overhung by foliage, colour print from engraved rollers, on paper, a colour index in each margin.
Place of Origin
Middleton, England (made)
Date
1895 (made)
Artist/maker
Walker, David (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Colour print from engraved rollers, on paper
Marks and inscriptions
'Rd. No. 260807 / 201'
Dimensions
Height: 80.1 cm, Width: 56.8 cm
Descriptive line
Panel of wallpaper with waterlillies and foliage, machine print, produced by David Walker, England, 1895.
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:
'403
Waterlilies on a lake overhung by foliage, with a cartouche on the left containing a swag of fruits and flowers, the whole against a latticework background; a colour index in each margin
Produced by David Walker
1895
Colour print from engraved rollers
80 x 54.3 cm (panel)
Given by Mr J. Robertshaw
E.1943-1952 neg Z.2432 CT 8639
See Entwisle, V, pl 36 (wrongly dated circa 1860-80).'
For the reference to Entwisle, V given above, see:
Entwisle, E. A. Wallpapers of the Victorian Era. Leigh-on-Sea, 1964.
Saunders, Gill. Wallpaper in Interior Decoration. V&A Publications. London. 2002. pp. 127. pl 111.
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1952. London: HMSO, 1963.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
“ANONYMOUS: Wall-papers […]
Portion of wall-paper showing water-lillies on a lake overhung by foliage, with a cartouche on the left containing a swag of fruits and flowers, the whole against a lattice-work background. With a colour index in each margin. Produced by David Walker, 1895.
Machine print. 80 x 54.3 cm.
E.1943-1952
Given by Mr. J. Robertshaw”
Labels and date
British Galleries:
This paper is washable as it was printed with oil colours and then varnished. It would have been used in hallways or other areas that were exposed to dirt, dust and wear. The method of production was inexpensive and made the paper widely affordable. [27/03/2003]
Production Note
Design registered in 1895.
Materials
Paper
Techniques
Machine printing
Subjects depicted
Flowers; Fruit; Leaf (plant material); Lake; Cartouches; Water lily; Lattices
Categories
British Galleries; Prints; Wall coverings
Collection code
PDP
