Adena Pin Ring Bamboo and Drapery
Bixby Vine
Bees and Stars Bixby Vine & Drapery
Jefferson Trellis
Blue Hill Stripe Franklin Stripe
Madison Damask
Laurel Harlequin Madison Damask
Moses Grant Stripe Pebbles and Flowerpots
Philadelphia Harlequin Plymouth Ashlar
Prince-Rollins Marble  Ribbon Sprig
 
 
Moses Grant Stripe
Click image for larger view View alternate colorways: B  C   D  


American (Boston) circa 1805-1817

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.