Type: Border

The original Reveillon document is in the collection of Les Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris Unlike borders from the 19th century, it was not uncommon for 18th century borders to be offered in colors which match those of the sidewall paper it was accompanying. This results in a subtle finishing touch, which is particularly beneficial … Continued

This border, with its pairing of the classical design elements of Acanthus plus Lily, was chosen by Edward and Abigail Emerson as the upper and lower trim, to accompany the Emerson Arabesque paper in their parlor.   The black and terracotta is reminiscent of borders on painted Grecian Attic vases; this combination was highly popular … Continued

The Emerson Spiral Border is one element in the suite of designs installed in the parlor of the Emerson Homestead in Old York, Maine.  In conjunction with the Acanthus Border, it was used as a trim for the Emerson Arabesque; whether these borders were also Reveillon products is unknown. Our reproduction was commissioned by the … Continued

This pattern was printed by the famous Parisian firm of Arthur et Robert. (Gouvenier Morris took Thomas Jefferson on a day trip to visit “Old man Arthur’s wallpaper factory” when they both lived in Paris.) A patent sample dated 1799 is on file at the Cabinet des Estampes of the Bibiliotheque Nationale; another example the … Continued

George Washington named his last addition to his Mount Vernon mansion the New Room. It was a multi-functional, formal space used to showcase art, receive visitors and sometimes for dining. Fragments of this border were discovered during restorations in 1902 and 1950 and were used to attempt a reproduction. While an important find, neither fragment … Continued

This versatile border pattern was used to trim Walpole Damask pattern in Horace Walpole’s bedchamber at Strawberry Hill. Recolored, it would work well with the Webb House Damask or other large patterns of the period.

The Swan Frieze and its coordinating Virchaux Drapery pattern were both designed by the internationally known architect Josef Ramée, in Philadelphia. Ramée, who had previous wallpaper manufacturing experience while in Belgium, entered into partnership with Henry Virchaux, a French émigré printer working in Philadelphia. This paper was one of many they submitted for patent protection … Continued

This border is typical of fashionable French designs of the period. It was found in the dining room of Frederick Van Cortlandt’s home in the Bronx, NY, where it framed the Van Cortlandt Rosette. Printed with twelve colors, the result is a highly detailed and three dimensional image which contrasts with the more subtle, but … Continued

Like the Strawberry Hill Plaid, with which it was installed, this border was printed with a very thin, somewhat transparent paint. Wallpaper patterns in the 18th century were often derived from more costly textile designs; it seems plausible that some of the motifs in this border were derived from fabric trims.

This border was found hung in the 1807 Sayre House in Milford, New York. The bold use of geometry typifies the fashion around the turn of the century. It is narrow and appropriate for any paper 1795 – 1815.