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Object Timeline
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1906 |
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1960 |
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1991 |
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Decorative Panels, Kindergarten Cut-Outs
This is a Decorative panels. It was manufactured by The Schmitz-Horning Co.. It is dated 1906 and we acquired it in 1960. Its medium is chromolithograph on paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.
Kindergarten Cut-Outs
The Schmitz-Horning Company was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1905 and was known for its lithographed borders and scenic wallpapers. One of its early papers was “Kindergarten Cut-Outs,” the first interactive wallpaper designed for children. These papers were sold as five-foot long panels at a cost of one dollar per panel. The paper in the Museum’s collection is not a full panel—as you can see, the cat has been cut in half. The paper could be applied in panels, or hung as a frieze with the decoration running continuously around the room. As the name "Kindergarten Cut-Outs” suggests, the animals could also be cut out and pasted to the wall, or they could be pinned to a fabric wallcovering to serve as both toy and decoration.
Prior to 1934, when wallpapers became truly washable, it was advisable to hang a fabric wallcovering, such as oilcloth or burlap, below the chair rail in a child’s room. This allowed the area most susceptible to dirt to be easily cleaned or painted as needed. It was very common in this era to combine multiple papers within a room. It was recommended to hang scenic borders at eye level for the child; decorative panels were usually hung above the chair rail or just out of a child’s reach. Another paper, with a stripe or small print pattern, would then fill the space between the border and the ceiling. The Schmitz-Horning papers were all printed in color by lithograph using oil pigments, which meant that the designs could be wiped clean. The printing technique also gives the design a soft look, reminiscent of a watercolor painting.
All of the animals on the paper are drawn in a realistic fashion. At the time, it was thought that natural representation would help children learn about and identify animals more effectively. Authorities believed that stylized or anthropomorphized animals would be confusing to young children.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Kindergarten Cut-Outs.
This object was
donated by
Wallpaper Council, Inc..
It is credited Gift of Wallpaper Council, Inc..
- Book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass
- printed paper.
- Gift of Kent C. Boese, PR4611 .A7 1899; Courtesy of the Smithsonian....
- 28.2012.2
- Overdoor (France)
- block-printed on handmade paper.
- Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1931-45-81
- Sample Book Page, Mural Scrolls
- screen printed on canvas.
- Gift of Katzenbach and Warren, Inc..
- 1953-61-1-2
Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.
- Dog, Joy for All Companion Pets
- plastic, metal, vinyl, polypropylene, felt.
- Gift of Hasbro's Joy for All Companion Pets.
- s-e-2603
Its dimensions are
H x W x D: 50.2 x 78.1 cm (19 3/4 x 30 3/4 in.)
Cite this object as
Decorative Panels, Kindergarten Cut-Outs; Manufactured by The Schmitz-Horning Co.; USA; chromolithograph on paper; H x W x D: 50.2 x 78.1 cm (19 3/4 x 30 3/4 in.); Gift of Wallpaper Council, Inc.; 1960-163-36
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Wall Stories: Children's Wallpapers and Books and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.
