Roller Blind
ca. 1847 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This printed window blind, designed by A.W.N Pugin (1812-1852), was made for the original furnishing of the new Palace of Westminster, London, completed between 1840 and 1847. It is likely that this blind was part of a scheme for secondary service rooms, such as lavatories or staff preparation rooms, in the House of Lords. It was discovered in a gentleman's lavatory in the basement of the building during redecoration in 1980.
There are three pencil and wash designs of this pattern by Pugin in the Museum collection, one of which is inscribed 'Patterns for Blinds'. The linen blind was block-printed by Thomas Clarkson of Bannister Hall, Lancashire, for the firm of Frederick Crace & Son, which was responsible for much of the work at Westminster. The firm of Thomas Clarkson was one of the most popular 19th-century manufacturers of high quality furnishings. At the time this blind was made the Crace shop was at 14 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, London.
Although the pattern was originally drawn by Pugin for the Palace of Westminster project, Crace soon realised its commercial potential and registered the pattern with the Patent Office on 7 March 1849. The Museum owns a second, larger-scale version in blue on white linen, which may be a later version.
There are three pencil and wash designs of this pattern by Pugin in the Museum collection, one of which is inscribed 'Patterns for Blinds'. The linen blind was block-printed by Thomas Clarkson of Bannister Hall, Lancashire, for the firm of Frederick Crace & Son, which was responsible for much of the work at Westminster. The firm of Thomas Clarkson was one of the most popular 19th-century manufacturers of high quality furnishings. At the time this blind was made the Crace shop was at 14 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, London.
Although the pattern was originally drawn by Pugin for the Palace of Westminster project, Crace soon realised its commercial potential and registered the pattern with the Patent Office on 7 March 1849. The Museum owns a second, larger-scale version in blue on white linen, which may be a later version.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Block-printed linen, with hemp cord and wooden handle |
Brief description | Roller blind of block printed linen, made by A.W.N. Pugin, printed and made at Bannister Hall, Lancashire, ca. 1847 |
Physical description | Blind still on its lower flat wooden pole with cord pull still attached (wooden handle). The blind is of block-printed linen fabric with a heavy finish (not glazed). The design of the fabric is in green on natural with a repeating design of horizontal linking ogee motif or arcading containing a crowned rose motif surrounded by stylised curving leaves. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Credit line | Given by The House of Lords |
Object history | Designed by A.W.N. Pugin (born in London, 1812, died in Ramsgate, Kent, 1852); printed by Thomas Clarkson of Bannister Hall, Lancashire for John G.Crace & Son |
Summary | This printed window blind, designed by A.W.N Pugin (1812-1852), was made for the original furnishing of the new Palace of Westminster, London, completed between 1840 and 1847. It is likely that this blind was part of a scheme for secondary service rooms, such as lavatories or staff preparation rooms, in the House of Lords. It was discovered in a gentleman's lavatory in the basement of the building during redecoration in 1980. There are three pencil and wash designs of this pattern by Pugin in the Museum collection, one of which is inscribed 'Patterns for Blinds'. The linen blind was block-printed by Thomas Clarkson of Bannister Hall, Lancashire, for the firm of Frederick Crace & Son, which was responsible for much of the work at Westminster. The firm of Thomas Clarkson was one of the most popular 19th-century manufacturers of high quality furnishings. At the time this blind was made the Crace shop was at 14 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, London. Although the pattern was originally drawn by Pugin for the Palace of Westminster project, Crace soon realised its commercial potential and registered the pattern with the Patent Office on 7 March 1849. The Museum owns a second, larger-scale version in blue on white linen, which may be a later version. |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.15-1980 |
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Record created | March 27, 2003 |
Record URL |
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