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.
Wyndham, Madeline: Madeline Wyndham, (nee Madeline Caroline Frances Eden Campbell) (1835-1920) often referred to as Mrs. Percy Wyndham was a patron and collector of antiques as well as a member of the 'Souls' intellectual and social group and an able artist and designer in her own right. She produced watercolours, needlework designs and embroideries as well as enamels (she was taught by Alexander Fisher). Part of the Aesthetics Movement she was also one of the founders of the Royal School of Art Needlework and responsible for bringing many of her artist and designer friends and connections into the orbit of the school to contribute to and influence its designs.
Wyndham, Madeline: Madeline Wyndham, (nee Madeline Caroline Frances Eden Campbell) (1835-1920) often referred to as Mrs. Percy Wyndham was a patron and collector of antiques as well as a member of the 'Souls' intellectual and social group and an able artist and designer in her own right. She produced watercolours, needlework designs and embroideries as well as enamels (she was taught by Alexander Fisher). Part of the Aesthetics Movement she was also one of the founders of the Royal School of Art Needlework and responsible for bringing many of her artist and designer friends and connections into the orbit of the school to contribute to and influence its designs.
Scope and content
Design card of the Royal School of Art Needlework (later the Royal School of Needlework) recording a design for a Cheval Screen 'Salve' by Madeline Wyndham, Pencil on card.
A Cheval Screen translated from the French as as 'horse screen', is an screen with two feet that was commonly used in the 18th century and placed in front of an unused fireplace. They were typically decorated with embroidery, decoupage or painted wood.
There are two copies of this design card and the main floral designs mirror each other. The second image has finials at the top left and right of the border and a purple stamp across the right finial which is blurred but reads Painting Room (the Paint Room was the design department of the RSN). The main design is of a stylised rosebush with Salve (Latin for Greetings) on the banner wound round stem. There is a Tudor Rose on the bottom right of the first copy and this is mirrored on the bottom left of the second. The flowers at the bottom of the design may be lilies of the valley as well as tulips. There is a leaf border at the top and the bottom.
A Cheval Screen translated from the French as as 'horse screen', is an screen with two feet that was commonly used in the 18th century and placed in front of an unused fireplace. They were typically decorated with embroidery, decoupage or painted wood.
There are two copies of this design card and the main floral designs mirror each other. The second image has finials at the top left and right of the border and a purple stamp across the right finial which is blurred but reads Painting Room (the Paint Room was the design department of the RSN). The main design is of a stylised rosebush with Salve (Latin for Greetings) on the banner wound round stem. There is a Tudor Rose on the bottom right of the first copy and this is mirrored on the bottom left of the second. The flowers at the bottom of the design may be lilies of the valley as well as tulips. There is a leaf border at the top and the bottom.
Transcription
The card is printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework, Exhibition Road, South Kensington' at the top, and 'KINDLY RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE' at bottom. 23b also stamped 'painting room'
Reference code
D1/025.a-b
© Royal School of Needlework