This Renaissance design is one of six featured in the Studio Yearbook of 1907 and called Dusseldorf. The article mentioned that : Dusseldorf is an elaborate design of early 16th century, constructed in pale wavy bands, broken by prominent rosettes.
Wardle had links with the museum and art school in Krefeld or Crefeld, north-west of Dusseldorf and centre of the silk weaving industry in Germany. He knew the Museum Director, Herr Schultz who was attached to the Royal Weaving School at Crefeld, The museum had a magnificent Royal Textile Collection. In 1893 Wardle invited Schultz to talk at the Royal Society, London on historic textile designs. Wardle was influenced by descriptions of historic trextiles which were shown in the talk but had probably seen this design in the museum* By the time this fabric was printed Thomas Wardle had died and his son was running the business. He clearly thought the design was commercial.
Dusseldorf with a gently curving wide ribbon interspersed with with fruit filled ogivals, the ground surrounding with flower and leaf filled exotic flowers, in shades of red, blue and green on a natural cotton ground woven with a small repeat of four dashes, 7 ft 7 in x 5 ft 7 in ; 2.32 x 1.70 m wide; pattern repeat 28 in; 68 cm; fabric width 4 ft; 1.2 m wide.
This has been made into a curtain but could easily be unpicked. The left hand edge has been turned under 6 in; 14.5 cm and is faded. The right hand edge 4 in; 10.3 cm and is badly damaged. More photos soon. Waiting for the weather to improve!
* My thanks to Dr Brenda King for providing this information.
Dye, Print, Stitch. Textiles by Thomas and Elizabeth Wardle by Brenda King.
Silk and empire by Brenda M King
All images and text © meg-andrews.com 2021
