Design Card

1875-1922

Item

Dimensions 153mm X 245mm

Royal School of Needlework: Created by the Royal School of Art Needlework as miniaturised versions of designs. Original designs were miniaturised and either traced or copied onto 'Design Cards' which were sent out to clients for next day approval. This was part of the work of the 'Painting Room' sometimes referred to as the Paintroom, the department responsible for all design and draftsmanship.
Jekyll, Gertrude: Gertrude Jekyll (29 November 1843- 8 December 1932) a British horticulturist, garden designer, craftswoman, photographer, writer and artist. Jekyll created over 400 gardens in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, and wrote articles for magazines such as Country Life and William Robinson's The Garden.

Design card recording two panel designs, pencil on card Jekyll Daisy and Jekyll Star. Garden Designer Gertrude Jekyll met with Mrs. Wyndham and Lady Welby in 1872 to discuss the formation of a 'School of Art Needlework for distressed gentlewomen' (See Lynn Hulse Royal School of Needlework Handbook of Embroidery (2010) p.45) and supplied a number of designs for the school. Some of Jekyll's designs were included in the 1880 Handbook for embroidery. As well as being a renowned garden designer Jekyll designed and embroidered for private commissions and clients and seems to have used the Royal School of Art Needlework to fulfil large commissions as early as 1875.

Daisy shows three stems of daisy flowers, in side view, with leaves up the panel.

Star shows two large and one smaller stems of star shaped flowers, with leaves up the panel. Spring flowering 'star flowers' are otherwise known as Ipheion, they originally come from South America.

Gertrude Jekyll. 'Royal School of Art Needlework' at the top, 'Kindly return as soon as possible' at the bottom. Pencilled writing reads Jekyll Daisy'; 'Jekyll Star' and 'No 4', with 'Painting Room' stamped.

D1/002