Images(2)

Wallpaper fragment

Dateca. 1762

MediumDistemper pigment. The paper is rag--cotton and linen. The pink or light crimson background color, which is now much darker than it was originally, is made primarily with a Red Lake (pigment) with only a small amount of calcium carbonate. The light shade is controlled not only by the thinness of the paint layer, but also by the shade of the pigment in its manufacturing upon which the red lake (pigment) was precipitated. The darker red color of the pattern is the same paint but thicker and darker. The pale gray pattern is a calcimine (water-base) paint, which is made with calcium carbonate and tinted with tiny amounts of yellow ocher, red lake, charcoal black, and blue verditer. (Frank Welsh, June 1991)

Dimensions5" x 3 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object numberAF-30-2.13.19,A-C

DescriptionA small fragment of uncut border paper. The design was printed so that the paper could be cut down the center of the horizontal line creating an edging or border paper to be pasted above the chairboard, around the window molding and below the cornice molding.

The design consists of a floral motif printed in crimson on a dark pink ground. There is also a diapered design printed in white, referred to during the period as "mosiac." This clearly fits the description of one of the papers included in an order that Robert Carter placed for wallpaper from Thomas Bladon of London in 1762. He ordered paper for three rooms, a passage, and a staircase.

From Robert Carter Letterbook 1761-1764:
"Invoice inclose in ye Above Letter.
Paper to hang 3 Parlours all of ye following dimensions: round ye 4 sides of one Parlour measures 55 Feet fm ye Floor to Ye Ceiling 11 Feet.
The 1st parlour a good Paper of a Crimson Colour- the 2d Parlours a better Paper, a white ground wth large green leaves. The 3d Parlour best Paper a blue ground with large Yellow Flowers."

Label TextThis fragment was found beneath a baseboard in the second floor, southeast Chamber of the Robert Carter House. It clearly fits the description of one of the papers included in a 1762 order that Robert Carter placed for wallpaper from Thomas Bladon of London: "The 1st parlour a good Paper of a Crimson Colour." He ordered paper for three rooms, a passage, and a staircase.
ProvenanceFound beneath a baseboard in the southeast room on the second floor of the Robert Carter House (Saunders-Dinwiddie House) on Dec 18, 1930.

From Robert Carter Letterbook 1761-1764:
"Invoice inclose in ye Above Letter.
Paper to hang 3 Parlours all of ye following dimensions: round ye 4 sides of one Parlour measures 55 Feet fm ye Floor to Ye Ceiling 11 Feet.
The 1st parlour a good Paper of a Crimson Colour- the 2d Parlours a better Paper, a white ground wth large green leaves. The 3d Parlour best Paper a blue ground with large Yellow Flowers."