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. 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

Design card for the Royal School of Art Needlework (later the Royal School of Needlework) recording a border design of primroses along the right side of the card by Walter Crane.

The original large format design by Walter Crane large design of this pattern for the Philadelphia International Centennial Exhibition 1876 survives in the Royal School of Needlework Design Collection. Similar needlework to this design was exhibited as part of the Royal School of Art Needlework's stand at the Philadelphia International Centennial Exhibition in 1876 and later was reproduced in the RSAN's 'Handbook of Needlework' 1880, no.14 as 'Designs for Table borders'. Crane's simpler floral designs gained more praise from reviewers of the handbook than his more complex design Elements, The Times described them as 'generally effective and in good tase' as apposed to Elements which it 'less desirable as examples for broad distribution, due to 'satyrs, serpents, peacocks, pomegranates, snails, grapes, toads, and cornucopiae [...] fantastically pressed into service for occult decorative purposes'. (The Times, 11 September 1880, p11)

Transcription

The card is printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework, Exhibition Road, London S.W.' at the top, and 'It is respectfully requested that designs sent for selection be not kept 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 a damaged condition' at the bottom

Reference code

D1/024
© Royal School of Needlework