Not currently on display at the V&A

Tulip Tree

Furnishing Fabric
1903 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lewis Foreman Day designed this furnishing fabric for Turnbull & Stockdale in 1903. It is made of roller-printed linen and is entitled 'Tulip Tree'. The effect of shaded colour or 'rainbow printing' can be seen in a number of fabrics at this time. The motifs show the characteristic Arts and Crafts preference for stylised floral forms.

Day was a founder member of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He was one of the most commercially aware and successful designers of his generation. From 1870 he produced freelance designs for all kinds of textiles, wallpapers, ceramics and furniture. He lectured on design and wrote many books and articles on the subject for leading publications. In 1881 he became the Artistic Director of Turnbull & Stockdale, a Lancashire textile-printing firm. He gave 'a unity to the firm's goods'. His style is eclectic and often derivative, but his draughtsmanship is excellent. Day also sold his designs to many other fashionable firms and shops.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleTulip Tree (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Roller-printed linen
Brief description
Furnishing fabric 'Tulip Tree' of roller-printed linen, designed by Lewis F. Day, made by Turnbull & Stockdale Ltd., England, 1903.
Physical description
Furnishing fabric of roller-printed linen. Red and yellow tulip-like flowers on tree branches with green and blue leaves.
Dimensions
  • Length: 70cm
  • Width: 85cm
Credit line
Given by the manufacturer
Subject depicted
Summary
Lewis Foreman Day designed this furnishing fabric for Turnbull & Stockdale in 1903. It is made of roller-printed linen and is entitled 'Tulip Tree'. The effect of shaded colour or 'rainbow printing' can be seen in a number of fabrics at this time. The motifs show the characteristic Arts and Crafts preference for stylised floral forms.

Day was a founder member of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He was one of the most commercially aware and successful designers of his generation. From 1870 he produced freelance designs for all kinds of textiles, wallpapers, ceramics and furniture. He lectured on design and wrote many books and articles on the subject for leading publications. In 1881 he became the Artistic Director of Turnbull & Stockdale, a Lancashire textile-printing firm. He gave 'a unity to the firm's goods'. His style is eclectic and often derivative, but his draughtsmanship is excellent. Day also sold his designs to many other fashionable firms and shops.
Bibliographic reference
Sano, Takahiko. The European Art of Textiles Osaka : NHK Kinki Media Plan and the Victoria and Albert Museum 1995. Plate 144.
Collection
Accession number
T.23-1954

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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