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See more objects with the tag interior, decoration, domestic, home, neoclassical, wallcovering, domestic interiors, dado, griffins, urns, acanthus, inset panel.

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Object Timeline

1931	We acquired this object.
1991	We exhibited this object.
2013	We photographed this object.
2014	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Dado (France)

This is a Dado. It is dated 1800–1820 and we acquired it in 1931. Its medium is block printed on handmade paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

This dado paper is a very strong neoclassical piece with its griffons, urn, pilasters, scrolling foliage and acanthus leaves. Dado papers were used to decorate the wall area below the chair rail, and would have been paired with a coordinating sidewall paper above, which would in turn be topped off with a wallpaper border at the ceiling. The printed shadows and highlights create a strong 3-dimensional effect on the inset panels, and make the affronted griffons sitting atop the scrolling acanthus appear as cameos, in slightly lesser relief. The strong architectural aspect apparent in this design is very appropriate for a wallpaper that visually is supporting the weight of the wall.

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

A green handmade paper wall covering with a repeating arabesque pattern in a double column format. The pattern is formed of a dark cream classical robed figure, with long curly hair. possibly a Priestess of Venus, pouring libations from a pitcher in the left hand, and holding a crown of red flowers and a crown of green leaves in the right hand. The figure stands under an arched bower of red flowers supported by right facing flying doves and a conical wire structure with two crowns of red flowers suspended on a pair of crossed arrows. The figure is surrounded by two gold upside down conical structures, the one on the left has a pair of doves perched on top, the one on the right three large feathers or leaves on top. The figure stands on a red and gold lambrequin extending down to a basket of red flowers and is surrounded by gold scrolls with leaves, red and lemon floral swags, pearl beaded swags and large red and lemon floral bouquets.

Sidewall (France)
block printed on handmade paper.
Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild.
1900-5-3

Side Chair (Probably Northern Italy)
wood, paint, gilding, textile.
Gift of the Countess Costantini.
1924-6-1

Bandbox (USA)
block-printed on handmade paper, pasteboard support.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1913-17-8-a,b

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

Chalice Cover (Italy)
linen.
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
1896-1-112

Dado (France)
block-printed on handmade paper.
Gift of David Marshall.
2007-55-2

Clock (France)
fire-gilt bronze, blackened bronze, enameled metal (dial), blued steel....
Gift of the Estate of Carl M. Loeb.
1955-82-1

Its dimensions are

54.5 x 72 cm (21 7/16 x 28 3/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Dado (France); block printed on handmade paper; 54.5 x 72 cm (21 7/16 x 28 3/8 in.); Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt; 1931-45-77

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Hewitt Sisters Collect and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2BTHT/
Accession Number 1931-45-77
Object ID 18319409