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Wallpaper

Wallpaper
ca. 1760 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
England (made)

Flock wallpaper was originally intended to imitate cut-velvet wall hangings. The printer created the areas of raised pile by printing part of the design with glue and then scattering powdered wool over the paper. This powdered wool, or flock, stuck to the gluey areas and made a raised velvety pile. In the 18th century flock wallpaper was a luxury product that only wealthy English customers could afford.

Object details

Categories
Wall Coverings
Prints
Object type
Wallpaper
TitleWallpaper (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Colour woodblock print, with yellow flock, on paper
Paper
Flock
Flocking
Colour Woodblock Print
Brief description
Portion of wallpaper with a formal floral design on a diapered ground; Colour woodblock print, with yellow flock, on paper; Stamped with the Georgian Excise duty stamp; English; ca. 1760.
Physical description
Portion of wallpaper with a formal floral design on a diapered ground; Colour woodblock print, with yellow flock, on paper; Stamped on the back with the Georgian Excise duty stamp and Paper 4.
Dimensions
  • Portion height: 57cm
  • Portion width: 54cm
Dimensions from: 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.
Style
Rococo
Marks and inscriptions
Paper 4

Note
Stamped on the back with the Georgian Excise duty stamp and Paper 4.
Credit line
Given by the Arthur Sanderson & Sons' branch of the Wall Paper Manufacturers Ltd.
Object history
Given by Arthur Sanderson & Sons' Branch of the WM.
Subject depicted
Flowers
Summary
Flock wallpaper was originally intended to imitate cut-velvet wall hangings. The printer created the areas of raised pile by printing part of the design with glue and then scattering powdered wool over the paper. This powdered wool, or flock, stuck to the gluey areas and made a raised velvety pile. In the 18th century flock wallpaper was a luxury product that only wealthy English customers could afford.
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
  • Saunders, Gill. Wallpaper in Interior Decoration. V&A Publications. London. 2002. pp. 56. pl 48.
  • Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings Accessions 1934 London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1935
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.1961-1934

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Record createdMarch 4, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O75938/wallpaper-wallpaper-unknown/
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