This bold stripe was found in the parlors of
houses in Strawbery Banke and West Kennebunk, New Hampshire. It was
printed by Moses Grant Jr., who is documented as working in Boston from
1811-1817. It is typical of the strongly abstract, geometric
"Harlequin" patterns popularized by the French in 1800. Americans
printed many of these harlequin patterns from 1800-1820.
The harlequin effect is achieved by splitting
motifs symmetrically and printing each half into a contrasting color.
Perhaps due its simplicity, in this pattern this results in an
interesting shift between foreground and background, stripe versus
image.
This quatrefoil diaper pattern was found hung with
Adelphi's Rose and Laurel Border. Historically, it would be hung either
with a narrow border around all margins or with a combination of a
broad festoon frieze and narrow borders to trim the other margins.
Repeat 6½ inches
Width 20 inches
Straight Match
The historic colorway image above shows two widths of the
pattern installed. Alternate colorway images show one
complete width of the pattern.