Wallpaper

Collection Type

  • Wallpaper

Date

1785-1800

GUSN

GUSN-177544

Description

Concave medallions with roses, wave scrolls and winding vines. Large diamond shapes with Medusa head. A vine of palmettes, buds and flowers decorate space between circles and diamonds. White, two pinks, two reds, peach, light yellow, two greens, black, dark brown on a blue ground. Straight match.

Details

Descriptive Terms

wallpapers
wove paper
block printing (relief printing process)
Wallpaper

Label

"Cherished Possessions": The prosperity following the American Revolution sparked a building boom as New Englanders constructed new homes, signaling their confidence in the future. The wall finish of choice for the interior of these houses was wallpaper. French wallpapers were especially desirable.
This example, from the home of Philemon Russell of Charlestown, Massachusetts, incorporates colorful Medusa heads and neoclassical palmettes, part of the classical vocabulary that was enormously popular in Europe and America.

Associated Building

Original To Russell House,

Additional Identification Number

643

Maker

Probably Malaine, Joseph-Laurent (Designer)
Hartmann, Risler & Cie (Manufacturer)

Location of Origin

France

Dimensions

35 1/4 x 22 (HxW) (inches)

Credit Line

Anonymous

Accession Number

1950.529

Reference Notes

"Wallpaper in New England"; p.89; plate 9, p. 105.

Places

Somerville (Middlesex county, Massachusetts)
Rixheim (Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France)
France

Related Items

Title Accession Number 1950.529B

Wallpaper Details

Print Technique

Block Printed

Form

Wall Fragment

Ground Color

Blue

State

Original

Type

Handmade

Type

Handmade

Paper Finish

Wove

Period/Style

Neoclassical

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