This wonderful, folksy paper, clearly American in style and design, was
found in the home of Ada Harris, a legendary antiques dealer from
upstate New York. The house was originally a tavern in Sangerfield, along
the post road from Boston to Buffalo. Ms. Harris claimed the paper was
from an upstairs bedchamber; it is typical of the exuberant colorways
popular in that area.
Probably printed in Albany, certain aspects of the pattern are
reminiscent of stenciling. Specific design elements such as the pointed
lozenges and small leaf sprigs are very similar in size and shape to
those found in Adelphi's Middlefield Sprig and Pineapples. The vertical,
columnar arrangement of paisley motifs and laurel sprigs is typical of
the 1810-20 period. Free from the influence of the French aesthetic so
prevalent at the time, this is a great example of American wallpaper.
Repeat 9 inches
Width 19½ inches
Straight Match
The historic colorway shown above is double width; alternative
colorways are single width.