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.
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.
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. Involved in the Holland Park social scene and a close friend of William Morris, Crane 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.'
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.
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. Involved in the Holland Park social scene and a close friend of William Morris, Crane 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
Pencil on card, A design card recording three designs for the Royal School of Art Needlework (later the Royal School of Needlework).
The three designs are all of stylised flowers. First labelled 'Image Bell' presumably designed by Arts and Crafts designer Selwyn Image. Second is 'Periwinkle', unattributed but with a more eastern influence. Third is a stylised daisy labelled 'Crane Daisy'.
The daisy has a background motif of three wavy lines, these motifs are seen in other Walter Crane designs and the design may be by Walter Crane, but it is worth noting that Walter Crane's brother Thomas Crane also designed for the Royal School of Art Needlework in 1870s and designed embroidery patterns for other clients and this may also record a design by him.
Text in pencil on card reads Blotters, can be arranged for other purposes. Ink blotters were a common Victorian item and embroidered covers were often used to hold blotting paper. Small items like this would have been available to order from the RSN and also available in their showrooms for purchase. As the text indicates motifs like this could have been easily adapted to a number of small items.
The three designs are all of stylised flowers. First labelled 'Image Bell' presumably designed by Arts and Crafts designer Selwyn Image. Second is 'Periwinkle', unattributed but with a more eastern influence. Third is a stylised daisy labelled 'Crane Daisy'.
The daisy has a background motif of three wavy lines, these motifs are seen in other Walter Crane designs and the design may be by Walter Crane, but it is worth noting that Walter Crane's brother Thomas Crane also designed for the Royal School of Art Needlework in 1870s and designed embroidery patterns for other clients and this may also record a design by him.
Text in pencil on card reads Blotters, can be arranged for other purposes. Ink blotters were a common Victorian item and embroidered covers were often used to hold blotting paper. Small items like this would have been available to order from the RSN and also available in their showrooms for purchase. As the text indicates motifs like this could have been easily adapted to a number of small items.
Transcription
Pencil writing 'Image Bell', 'Periwinkle', 'Crane Daisy' "Blotters - Can be arranged for other purposes The card is printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework Exhibtion Road London SW' at the top, 'It is respectful requested that Designs sent for selection be not kept for more than ONE CLEAR DAY. and to prevent damage in the post should be returned in the cards sent herewith. It is found necessary to make a charge for replacing designs returned in damaged conditiion' at the bottom.
Reference code
D1/019
© Royal School of Needlework