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Object Timeline

1931

  • We acquired this object.

2012

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Decorative Panel (France), 1850–60

This is a Decorative panel. It is dated 1850–60 and we acquired it in 1931. Its medium is block-printed and hand painted on a combed background. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

This is one panel from a set of four bearing similar likeness. On a combed or dragged ground simulating oak, each has a block-printed simulation of an ornate carved wood frame containing a hand painted landscape scene. This frame contains a scene of two small goldfinches perched in the crotch of a tree, attending a nest with eggs. Composing the background behind the birds is a near cloudless sky. These panels would have been used in groups, hung on opposite sides of the room, alternating with plain wood grained panels. These panels were produced at a time when a high degree of realism was fashionable in wallpapers. Also popular at this time were decors or fresco papers which contained an elaborate architectural framework with pilasters, wainscot and moldings enclosing a scene from a scenic wallpaper or a printed landscape scene modeled after a painting.

This object was donated by Eleanor Garnier Hewitt and Sarah Cooper Hewitt. It is credited Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.

  • Sidewall, Frames
  • screen printed on paper.
  • Gift of Graham & Brown Inc..
  • 2005-31-1

Our curators have highlighted 6 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

Its dimensions are

81.5 x 50.5 cm (32 1/16 x 19 7/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Decorative Panel (France), 1850–60; block-printed and hand painted on a combed background; 81.5 x 50.5 cm (32 1/16 x 19 7/8 in.); Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt; 1931-45-62

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Hewitt Sisters Collect.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18319369/ |title=Decorative Panel (France), 1850–60 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=25 October 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>