V & A DECORATIVE PAPERS II Wallpaper Pattern Number 2412-179-04

Calico Shell

This beautiful pattern was selected from a large assortment of designs for chintz stored in the V&A's Prints and Drawings department. The exquisite design, resembling a shell or wave motif, was taken from a tiny, hand-painted artwork. The term "chinz" is related to a Sanskrit word meaning "coloured" or "spotted," and now refers to any cotton or linen furnishing fabric with a pattern, but initially would have been used to describe light, cotton fabrics created in India for the English market. By the end of the 18th century, most of the printed cottons made in English mills were used for clothing and based on floral designs or imitated the style of silk brocades. The tremendous artistry of the British textile industry in the 18th century is seen in every fine detail of this design.

Archive Inspiration: Design for a printed chintz textile, England, 1760s-70s.

Exclusive to Resene Colorshops and Resene Resellers.

Printed in the UK by 1838 Wallcoverings.