Wallpaper
ca. 1810 (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This a wallpaper designed for the wall space above a door. Such papers are known as dessus-de-portes (in French) or overdoors. This example depicts a trophy symbolic of the god Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine. It includes several pine-cone tipped wands or Thyrsi, and musical instruments. Given its subject matter, it was probably intended for use in a dining room.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Colour woodblock print, on paper |
Brief description | Dessus-de-porte wallpaper depicting a trophy of Bacchus or Dionysus, the god of wine, with various pine cone tipped wands called Thyrsi, fruit, flowers, and various musical instruments including panpipes and a triangle, all in silver-grey and brown against a dark ground; Colour print from wood blocks, on paper; Colour print from wood blocks, on paper; Possibly printed in France; ca. 1810. |
Physical description | Dessus-de-porte wallpaper depicting a trophy of Bacchus or Dionysus, the god of wine, with various pine cone tipped wands called Thyrsi, fruit, flowers, and various musical instruments including panpipes and a triangle, all in silver-grey and brown against a dark ground; Colour print from wood blocks, on paper. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | The trophy, perhaps for use in a dining room, is symbolic of the god Bacchus (Dionysus) the god of wine. It includes several pine-cone tipped wands or Thyrsi, and musical instruments. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This a wallpaper designed for the wall space above a door. Such papers are known as dessus-de-portes (in French) or overdoors. This example depicts a trophy symbolic of the god Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine. It includes several pine-cone tipped wands or Thyrsi, and musical instruments. Given its subject matter, it was probably intended for use in a dining room. |
Bibliographic reference | 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. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.481-1931 |
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Record created | July 14, 2005 |
Record URL |
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