Furnishing Fabric
1806-1807 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
For the first 20 years of the 19th century the finest and most expensive printed furnishings were polychrome woodblock-printed cottons. Woodblock printing is the technique used here, although this fabric is probably not from the top end of the market. It might have been used for curtains or upholstery. Several other designs for furnishing fabrics illustrating Nelson's naval victories are known, so the theme was obviously thought an acceptable one for a domestic interior.
People
Viscount Nelson was born Horatio Nelson, a clergyman's son, in Norfolk in 1758, and was killed at sea off Cape Trafalgar, Spain, in 1805, a celebrated hero whose death was deeply and publicly mourned. As British naval commander in the wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, he won crucial victories in major sea battles that included the Nile (1798) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was hit by enemy fire while directing the conflict from his flagship, HMS Victory.
Subject Depicted
The inscription depicted on the plinth on which the figure of Nelson stands - 'England expects that every man will do his duty' - refers to his famous last instructions, signalled in flags, to his battle fleet on the morning of the battle of Trafalgar.
For the first 20 years of the 19th century the finest and most expensive printed furnishings were polychrome woodblock-printed cottons. Woodblock printing is the technique used here, although this fabric is probably not from the top end of the market. It might have been used for curtains or upholstery. Several other designs for furnishing fabrics illustrating Nelson's naval victories are known, so the theme was obviously thought an acceptable one for a domestic interior.
People
Viscount Nelson was born Horatio Nelson, a clergyman's son, in Norfolk in 1758, and was killed at sea off Cape Trafalgar, Spain, in 1805, a celebrated hero whose death was deeply and publicly mourned. As British naval commander in the wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, he won crucial victories in major sea battles that included the Nile (1798) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was hit by enemy fire while directing the conflict from his flagship, HMS Victory.
Subject Depicted
The inscription depicted on the plinth on which the figure of Nelson stands - 'England expects that every man will do his duty' - refers to his famous last instructions, signalled in flags, to his battle fleet on the morning of the battle of Trafalgar.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Block-printed cotton |
| Brief description | Furnishing fabric of block-printed cotton, made by John Bury, Lancashire, 1806-1807 |
| Physical description | Furnishing fabric of block-printed cotton with Egyptianised and Classical symbols commemorating Lord Nelson and his victories. In the top left hand portion is an archway through which a pyramid can be seen. To the right of the arch is a camel and to the left is a plinth inscribed with 'THE NILE' and above stands an urn. Below is a classical ruined arch with two columns and the niche contains a statue of Nelson. Above the niche are the words 'LORD NELSONS LAST SIGNAL,' and below his feet on a plinth is 'ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY.' To the right of the arch is an obelisk, which is a cenotaph, on which is perched an eagle and on the base are the words 'TO THE MEMORY OF THE HERO OF ABOUKIR COPENHAGEN and TRAFALGAR.' By its side is a sphinx. Disproportionately large exotic flowering plants in pinks, yellows and blues surround each device. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
With its imagery of Nelson's victories, this fabric illustrates how manufacturers and designers took advantage of patriotic themes, especially those linked to individual heroic figures. A sample of this design appears in the manufacturer John Bury's stock lists, described as 'Trafalgar chintz', in celebration of Nelson's great victory in 1805.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Printed by John Bury of Sabden, Lancashire |
| Summary | Object Type For the first 20 years of the 19th century the finest and most expensive printed furnishings were polychrome woodblock-printed cottons. Woodblock printing is the technique used here, although this fabric is probably not from the top end of the market. It might have been used for curtains or upholstery. Several other designs for furnishing fabrics illustrating Nelson's naval victories are known, so the theme was obviously thought an acceptable one for a domestic interior. People Viscount Nelson was born Horatio Nelson, a clergyman's son, in Norfolk in 1758, and was killed at sea off Cape Trafalgar, Spain, in 1805, a celebrated hero whose death was deeply and publicly mourned. As British naval commander in the wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, he won crucial victories in major sea battles that included the Nile (1798) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was hit by enemy fire while directing the conflict from his flagship, HMS Victory. Subject Depicted The inscription depicted on the plinth on which the figure of Nelson stands - 'England expects that every man will do his duty' - refers to his famous last instructions, signalled in flags, to his battle fleet on the morning of the battle of Trafalgar. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.98-1959 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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