fbpx

Wallpaper

Update Our ticketing, donations, and membership sales portal is down for scheduled maintenance on the afternoon of 4/11.

Search Collections

Collection Type

  • Wallpaper

Date

1880-1890

GUSN

GUSN-288761

Description

Three fragments of Anglo-Japanese wallpaper from Westbrook, Maine. Patchwork pattern of square, rectanglular and semi-circular geometric designs and Asian-influenced figures. Prominent elements include a diagonally-placed rectangle containing figures that resemble Arabic writing and a building, framing a lamp hanging and vase. Roller-printed in pale yellow, dark maroon, red, olive, peach, black and iridescent copper on light olive ground. Fragment (a) is attached to border 2001.281.611.1

Details

Descriptive Terms

wallpapers
paper (fiber product)
metallic pigment
Anglo-Japanese
Wallpaper

Inscription

"Herewith is some wall paper from an old house in Maine / (vintage 1700) which my family there acquired. Perhaps your / wallpaper friend might like it. If not just toss it away. / Whether it was original with the house I do not know but there / was nothing under it." (Excerpt from short letter written from Dorothy C. V. Pearson to Hazel Cheever dated November 15, 1966.)
"Dear Dorothy - / My friend Dorothy / C. V. Pearon of 5 Woodman Drive Bedford Mass 01730 / mailed me this wall paper. / I have enclosed the note that / she sent to me." (Excerpt from letter to Dorothy Waterhouse from Hazel Cheever dated November 17, 1966. Dorothy Waterhouse notes at top left that she answered the letter on November 27.)
"Westbrook / Me. / Leon Water house" (handwritten)

Associated Person

Waterhouse, Dorothy S.

Associated Building

Original To

Maker

Unknown

Dimensions

29 1/2 x 9 (HxW) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Bernard Scott

Accession Number

2001.281.611.2A-C

Places

Probably United States

Related Items

Title Wallpaper border Accession Number 2001.281.611.1

Wallpaper Details

Print Technique

Machine Printed

Form

wall fragment

Ground Color

Olive

State

Original

Type

Machine Made

Use

Sidewall/Fill

Medium

Paper

Decor Motif

Arabic
Geometric

Period/Style

Anglo-Japanese

Reparative Language in Collections Records

Historic New England is committed to implementing reparative language description for existing collections and creating respectful and inclusive language description for new collections. If you encounter language in Historic England's Collections Access Portal that is harmful or offensive, or you find materials that would benefit from a content warning, please contact [email protected].