Furnishing
ca. 1845-1855 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This printed furnishing cotton is typical of an expensive but popular furnishing fabric available in the middle of the 19th century, used for curtains and loose covers on chairs and beds, especially in summer. It was manufactured for and retailed by the soft furnishings and furniture shop C. Hindley & Sons, who took over the established firm of Miles & Edwards in 1844. The shop was at 134 Oxford Street, London.
Many similar fabrics (‘known as chintz’) were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 by other London firms. Some were chosen by Henry Cole for his exhibition in 1852 of ‘False Principles in Design’ at the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, London, in 1852. Cole and his colleague Richard Redgrave criticised floral chintzes that were not symmetrical, and tried to capture realistic, three-dimensional natural forms with their patterns. They argued that designs directly imitating flowers (rather than use of stylised repeating shapes) were unsuitable for textiles intended for draped and folded curtains.
Many similar fabrics (‘known as chintz’) were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 by other London firms. Some were chosen by Henry Cole for his exhibition in 1852 of ‘False Principles in Design’ at the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, London, in 1852. Cole and his colleague Richard Redgrave criticised floral chintzes that were not symmetrical, and tried to capture realistic, three-dimensional natural forms with their patterns. They argued that designs directly imitating flowers (rather than use of stylised repeating shapes) were unsuitable for textiles intended for draped and folded curtains.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | |
Brief description | printed cotton, 1845-55c, English; C Hindley & Sons, polychrome geraniums |
Dimensions |
|
Object history | Part of a large group (Circ.1027-1925 to Circ.1112-1925) purchased in 1925 from 'C. A. Hindley Esq' for £25. RF 21/7160. C. Hindley & Sons had bought out Miles & Edwards of 134 Oxford Street in 1844 but closed in 1892. |
Summary | This printed furnishing cotton is typical of an expensive but popular furnishing fabric available in the middle of the 19th century, used for curtains and loose covers on chairs and beds, especially in summer. It was manufactured for and retailed by the soft furnishings and furniture shop C. Hindley & Sons, who took over the established firm of Miles & Edwards in 1844. The shop was at 134 Oxford Street, London. Many similar fabrics (‘known as chintz’) were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 by other London firms. Some were chosen by Henry Cole for his exhibition in 1852 of ‘False Principles in Design’ at the Museum of Ornamental Art, Marlborough House, London, in 1852. Cole and his colleague Richard Redgrave criticised floral chintzes that were not symmetrical, and tried to capture realistic, three-dimensional natural forms with their patterns. They argued that designs directly imitating flowers (rather than use of stylised repeating shapes) were unsuitable for textiles intended for draped and folded curtains. |
Collection | |
Accession number | CIRC.1041-1925 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest