Wallpaper fragment

This small fragment was found in a skip outside 26 Soho Square London, together with a larger piece which was given to the Victoria and Albert Museum (E.596A-B1985). The pattern is based on contemporary silk damask designs and is identical to wallpapers found at Eagle House, Bathford (in yellow), Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire (in blue), the V&A, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, and Barlaston Hall, Staffordshire (a yellow-ground paper printed in brown). The present sample is flocked in two colours - red and yellow. The paper's significance lies in the fact that it corresponds with a receipt, dated May 1760, which records that ‘414 yards Crimson emboss'd paper' were supplied to Sir William Robinson by Thomas Chippendale at a cost of £15 10s 6d (9d a yard). It was hung in both the front and rear rooms on the first floor of his house. On the reverse of the larger V&A fragment are two pencilled sketches of drapery schemes for the window facing onto Soho Square which may be by Chippendale himself.

This item is owned by The Chippendale Society. Explore the Society’s website and collections by clicking the external link below.