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.
Image, Selwyn: Selwyn Image (17 February 1849 – 21 August 1930) was a designer associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. He designed across multiple media, and is particularly known for his stained glass windows, but also designed furniture, embroidery and illustrated books. He contributed designs over a number of years to the Royal School of Art Needlework. He was also the seventh Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford from 1910 to 1916.

Design Card recording a design by Arts and Crafts designer Selwyn Image, pencil on tracing paper pasted to card. It is a repeat pattern showing birds and what are probably oak leaves with a pattern of small circles and stylised trellis of branches. Three and a half birds are included in this section. This design is referenced on p.161 of Linda Parry's Textiles of the Arts and Crafts Movement (Thames and Hudson, 2005) where it is named as 'Atlantis' c.1890. Parry states that it was also worked by Morris and Co. During this period Arts and Crafts designers would often sell designs or versions of them to multiple organisations and there was considerable overlap between Morris and Co and the Royal School of Art Needlework.

Design card printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework Exhibition Road South Kensington' on top, 'Kindly return as soon as possible ' on bottom Pencilled writing 'Chair back' 'Image bird'

D1/010