Wallpaper border printed to imitate velvet drapery with fringing
England
About 1820-30
Colour print from woodblocks with flock
Museum no. E.2156-1913
Given by Mr Alexander Reynell

Papers printed in 'trompe l'oeil' to imitate fabrics were popular in France and England in the 1820 and 1830s. This sample comes from the stock of Thomas Avery, a builder and decorator in Tenterden, Kent. In the 18th and 19th centuries decorators or upholsters, who dealt with all aspects of the house-furnishing business, often supplied and put up wallpapers.