Type: Wallpaper
Soane Diaper
An entire wall of this diaper pattern was uncovered beneath layers of paint during the initial stages of renovating Sir John Soane’s private apartment, at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London. While there was more than enough evidence to determine the structure of the delicate design the colors had understandably not fared as well. When … Continued
Sayward Gothic
Sayward Gothic is a classic quatrefoil pattern found under several layers of later paper in the home of Jonathan Sayward in York, Maine. It was installed between 1761 and 1767. In examining the original document, the background color appears to be a light blue. However, the reverse side of the subsequent paper layer – where … Continued
Rococo Strapwork
Though the specific setting where this pattern originated is unknown it was, undoubtedly, a formal room – a parlor or dining room. As with most successful patterns of it’s type this one illustrates a balance of pattern to open space. One unusual feature is that it may be installed as either a match drop or … Continued
Ribbon Sprig
Ribbon Sprig was discovered in Concord, Massachusetts and may have originated in Boston, but it is of sufficiently high quality to also suggest that it could be of French origin. Free floating, small figured sprig patterns were popular throughout the late 18th century both in French and English wallpapers. The fact that this sprig is … Continued
Reveillon Vine
Though the Reveillon factory is famous for elaborate multi-color arabesque patterns their designers created equally engaging, yet simple papers, for smaller or secondary rooms. When installed, the slender stems create a subtle undulation, not apparent from the viewing a single width of the paper. The reproduction of this pattern was commissioned by George Washington’s Mount … Continued
Reveillon Damask
Adelphi’s Réveillon Damask is reproduced from a fragment in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. The pattern has also been found underneath a simple flowered paper in a house on the Quai Voltaire in Paris. It was printed by the firm of Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the most famous French manufacturer of wallpaper in the late 18th century. … Continued
Reveillon Arabesque 810
The reproduction of this pattern was commissioned by the Homewood Museum at Johns Hopkins University; the original document is in their collection. While many double repeating arabesques – those with two veritical rows of the pattern per width of paper – use a modest number of colors this one incorporates 14 colors printed with 24 … Continued
Reveillon Arabesque 600
Pattern #600, from the factory of Jean-Baptiste Reveillon, is a most unusual example of a French arabesque pattern. Not only does it exhibit finely detailed block printing but many of the colors are hand painted transluscent washes. Highlights on the allegorical figures are 23 karat gold leaf. No pattern which we have set out to … Continued
Renaissance Strapwork
Renaissance Strapwork was one of many layers of patterns found in the principal upstairs bedchamber of a Greek Revival farmhouse in Greenwich, New York. The scrolling strapwork is characteristic of the Renaissance Revival designs, which began to appear in the 1840s and maintained popularity throughout the 1850s. The colorway, using a subtle grey on a … Continued
Prince-Rollins Marble
Versatile marble patterns of this type were utilized either alone and trimmed with a fancy border, or as backgrounds on which Arabesques panels were placed. As a dado paper it would have been found under a chair rail in hall or staircase. Particularly elaborate installations might have had the paper cut and mimicking a marble … Continued