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

Furnishing Fabric

1950 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The alignment of fine and applied art disciplines in the 1950s produced a variety of consumer goods both attractive and accessible to homeowners keen to put the austerity of World War II behind them. The combination of unrestricted free-form patterns and vibrant colours reflected the optimism of this new 'Elizabethan Age'; heralding a new approach to domestic decoration.

This textile is a classic example of early 1950s print design. Margaret Cooper was a graduate of the London Country Council Central School of Arts & Crafts (established in 1896). Within the field of textile design, the School remained influential throughout the twentieth century. Alumni included Terence Conran, Joyce Clissold and Marianne Straub. It is now known as Central St. Martins, part of the University of the Arts cohort.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Screen printed cotton
Brief description
screen printed, 1950, British; Cooper, Margaret (Central School)
Physical description
Screen printed cotton furnishing fabric featuring a repeat motif of Cockerels and Hens, executed in loose calligraphic brushstrokes and rendered in a harmonious colour palette of greys and greens.
Dimensions
  • Length: 176cm
  • Width: 123.5cm
  • Length: 187.5cm
  • Width: 118.5cm
  • Diameter: 103mm
Summary
The alignment of fine and applied art disciplines in the 1950s produced a variety of consumer goods both attractive and accessible to homeowners keen to put the austerity of World War II behind them. The combination of unrestricted free-form patterns and vibrant colours reflected the optimism of this new 'Elizabethan Age'; heralding a new approach to domestic decoration.

This textile is a classic example of early 1950s print design. Margaret Cooper was a graduate of the London Country Council Central School of Arts & Crafts (established in 1896). Within the field of textile design, the School remained influential throughout the twentieth century. Alumni included Terence Conran, Joyce Clissold and Marianne Straub. It is now known as Central St. Martins, part of the University of the Arts cohort.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.233-1950

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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