Furnishing Fabric thumbnail 1
Furnishing Fabric thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Furnishing Fabric

1888 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This particular pattern was illustrated in an article on Wardle in The Artist magazine in 1897. It is inspired by patterns used for tiles produced at the Iznik potteries in Turkey. Day was a prolific freelance designer. He was also a keen teacher and journalist, and published instruction books on pattern-making and articles on the decorative arts and contemporary designers and manufacturers. He designed lace and embroidery as well as producing designs for the more commercial techniques of carpet manufacture, weaving and printing. In 1881 he became artistic director of Turnbull and Stockdale, a newly founded firm of printers in Lancashire.

Wardle entered his father's business as a silk dyer. He was an avid traveller and his textiles show his interest in Indian and Middle Eastern patterns. He was recognised as an expert in the field of textile dyeing, and advised the British government on the Cyprus silk industry and the Indian government on silk making in Kashmir. In 1897 he was knighted for his services to the silk industry. Wardle sold his textiles through a number of London shops, from the artistic (Liberty's) to the more general (Debenham & Freebody). Between 1883 and 1888 his own shop, Wardle & Co., traded in New Bond Street.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Block-printed velveteen
Brief description
Furnishing fabric of block-printed velveteen, designed by Lewis Foreman Day, made by Wardle & Co., Leek, 1888
Physical description
Furnishing fabric of block-printed velveteen. With floral bands forming ogival compartments, central medallions and flower trails covering the field.
Dimensions
  • Height: 181.6cm
  • Width: 66.7cm
  • Length: 71.5in
  • Width: 26.25in
Marks and inscriptions
'Wardle's Art Prints' (Printed on selvedge)
Gallery label
British Galleries: This textile was designed by Lewis F. Day, a prolificl freelance commercial designer. Day's style followed the current fashions and the requirements of the manufacturers. This pattern was taken from 17th and 18th-century Persian (Iranian) designs.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by Miss Ida M. Gabriel
Object history
Designed by Lewis F. Day (born in London, 1845, died there in 1910); printed by Thomas Wardle, Leek, Staffordshire
Summary
This particular pattern was illustrated in an article on Wardle in The Artist magazine in 1897. It is inspired by patterns used for tiles produced at the Iznik potteries in Turkey. Day was a prolific freelance designer. He was also a keen teacher and journalist, and published instruction books on pattern-making and articles on the decorative arts and contemporary designers and manufacturers. He designed lace and embroidery as well as producing designs for the more commercial techniques of carpet manufacture, weaving and printing. In 1881 he became artistic director of Turnbull and Stockdale, a newly founded firm of printers in Lancashire.

Wardle entered his father's business as a silk dyer. He was an avid traveller and his textiles show his interest in Indian and Middle Eastern patterns. He was recognised as an expert in the field of textile dyeing, and advised the British government on the Cyprus silk industry and the Indian government on silk making in Kashmir. In 1897 he was knighted for his services to the silk industry. Wardle sold his textiles through a number of London shops, from the artistic (Liberty's) to the more general (Debenham & Freebody). Between 1883 and 1888 his own shop, Wardle & Co., traded in New Bond Street.
Collection
Accession number
T.77-1953

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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