Valance
ca. 1790 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This valance, which was probably used as part of a set of bed hangings, is made with a printed cotton commemorating the Fall of the Bastille in 1789, at the start of the French Revolution. It is thought to have been printed in England for export to France, and the reference to events of August 1789 suggest that it was printed soon after.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Plate printed cotton |
Brief description | printed cotton, about 1790, English; Plate printed, The Fall of the Bastille |
Physical description | Valance of cotton plate printed in purple. There are two main scenes : the Storming of the Bastille, and a fictive tomb of Louis XVI, celebrating France's liberty; the scenes are depicted in a sketch-like manner, and their designer or source has not yet been identified. There is a background of scrolling ribbons and flowers, wheat ears, and fleurs de lys, with inscriptions in French and Latin. Signed in the print 'GORDON SCULP' and 'H.M.& Co.'. Lined, with top and bottom edges bound with linen tape. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by The Hon Mrs L Lindley |
Object history | Lent to the British Museum exhibition 'Britain and the French Revolution' May to September 1989. Lent to the exhibition 'La Revolution Francais - Version Anglais' at Musee de la Revolution Francais, Vizille, France, June - September 1990. |
Production | Assumed to have been printed in England for export to France. There are no conclusive grounds for an English identification. |
Subject depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Summary | This valance, which was probably used as part of a set of bed hangings, is made with a printed cotton commemorating the Fall of the Bastille in 1789, at the start of the French Revolution. It is thought to have been printed in England for export to France, and the reference to events of August 1789 suggest that it was printed soon after. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | T.63-1936 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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