Wallpaper
1550-1575 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This is a very early example of a printed patterned paper being used to decorate a wall. Examples of the same paper have been found lining an oak chest dating from the second half of the 16th century, and a variation of the pattern was also discovered in a room in the Base Court at Hampton Court Palace. The design is typical of the period; the majority of printed patterned papers from the 16th century have simple repeats based on heraldic motifs. Though this design, and others of this period, show the Arms of England and the royal emblem, the Tudor rose, it does not indicate a direct royal connection. Patterns of this kind were rather intended as an indication of social status, wealth, and position, and a sign of the family's affiliations.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Print from wood block on paper, pasted onto wattle and daub |
Brief description | Section of wattle and daub wall with wallpaper attached, ca.1550-75 |
Physical description | Sample of wallpaper |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Presented by Mrs. Noble, on behalf of Major G. Noble |
Object history | This was given with E.3593-1913, a portion of the same wallpaper which was removed from the wattle and daub. The piece still adhereing to the section of wall was passed to the Department of Furniture & Woodwork, but returned in 1918 to the Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This is a very early example of a printed patterned paper being used to decorate a wall. Examples of the same paper have been found lining an oak chest dating from the second half of the 16th century, and a variation of the pattern was also discovered in a room in the Base Court at Hampton Court Palace. The design is typical of the period; the majority of printed patterned papers from the 16th century have simple repeats based on heraldic motifs. Though this design, and others of this period, show the Arms of England and the royal emblem, the Tudor rose, it does not indicate a direct royal connection. Patterns of this kind were rather intended as an indication of social status, wealth, and position, and a sign of the family's affiliations. |
Bibliographic reference | Oman & Hamilton. Wallpapers: A History and Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum. Cat. no.4.
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Collection | |
Accession number | E.2431-1918 |
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Record created | August 28, 2003 |
Record URL |
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