Design Card
Date
1875-1922
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
Dimensions: 153mm x 245mm
Creator
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.
Crane, Walter (Mr): Walter Crane (15 August 1845-14 March 1915) was a prolific illustrator, designer and painter and part of the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetics Movements. Crane’s wife Mary Frances Andrews was an embroiderer and the pair married in 1871, the same year Crane met William Morris who became a close friend. Involved in the Holland Park social scene, Crane also joined the Social Democratic Federation in 1884 and the Fabian Society in 1885. A founding member of the Art Workers Guild and the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, he was president until 1893, and again from 1896 until 1912, following the death of William Morris. In his autobiography (An Artists Reminiscences, p.164) he writes that as well as being on the advisory committee for the RSN, ‘along with William Morris, George Aitcheson […] and Fairfax Wade’ he contributed many designs 'for screens, panels, and other things, in which I introduced birds (notably peacocks), and other animals, and many of them are still worked I believe.'
Crane, Walter (Mr): Walter Crane (15 August 1845-14 March 1915) was a prolific illustrator, designer and painter and part of the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetics Movements. Crane’s wife Mary Frances Andrews was an embroiderer and the pair married in 1871, the same year Crane met William Morris who became a close friend. Involved in the Holland Park social scene, Crane also joined the Social Democratic Federation in 1884 and the Fabian Society in 1885. A founding member of the Art Workers Guild and the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, he was president until 1893, and again from 1896 until 1912, following the death of William Morris. In his autobiography (An Artists Reminiscences, p.164) he writes that as well as being on the advisory committee for the RSN, ‘along with William Morris, George Aitcheson […] and Fairfax Wade’ he contributed many designs 'for screens, panels, and other things, in which I introduced birds (notably peacocks), and other animals, and many of them are still worked I believe.'
Scope and content
Design cards with pencil tracings glued to them. Pencil notations 'Panel' and 'W. Crane' on both. D1/012.b is also stamped with the earliest Royal School of Art Needlework Paintroom (the design department of the RSN) stamp dating to the late 19th century.
The design cards record two panels from The Senses produced as part of Walter Crane's submission for the Philadelphia International Centennial Exhibition in 1876 where it was embroidered onto panels for a demi-lune cabinet which is now in the Huntington Library and Art Gallery, object number. 2004.11 These design cards represent Taste and Smell. The tasting figure is sipping from a dish and holding a vase, the smelling figure is holding a bouquet of flowers. See D1/011 for all four figures.
https://emuseum.huntington.org/objects/35762/ebonised-demilune-cabinet-with-embroidered-panels?ctx=092334f4328b24d64cd5758bbaed0323f592b7f5&idx=18
The Senses series survives in part in large format original designs by Walter Crane in the RSN collection, a female figure with a fan and one with a shell to her ear exist in large format.
The design cards record two panels from The Senses produced as part of Walter Crane's submission for the Philadelphia International Centennial Exhibition in 1876 where it was embroidered onto panels for a demi-lune cabinet which is now in the Huntington Library and Art Gallery, object number. 2004.11 These design cards represent Taste and Smell. The tasting figure is sipping from a dish and holding a vase, the smelling figure is holding a bouquet of flowers. See D1/011 for all four figures.
https://emuseum.huntington.org/objects/35762/ebonised-demilune-cabinet-with-embroidered-panels?ctx=092334f4328b24d64cd5758bbaed0323f592b7f5&idx=18
The Senses series survives in part in large format original designs by Walter Crane in the RSN collection, a female figure with a fan and one with a shell to her ear exist in large format.
Transcription
Design card printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework Exhibition Road Spent Kensington' on top, 'Kindly return as soon as possible ' on bottom Pencil writing 'W Crane' 'Screen' VR on design
Reference code
D1/012.a-b
© Royal School of Needlework