Object Timeline

-0001

1980

  • We acquired this object.

2007

2017

2018

2024

  • You found it!

Sidewall - Sample, Sunflower, 1887

This is a Sidewall - sample. It was designed by Morris & Co. and manufactured by Jeffrey & Company. It is dated 1887 and we acquired it in 1980. Its medium is block-printed paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

Design reformer William Morris reacted against the garish synthetic colors which were introduced in the 1850s. He promoted a return to natural dyes, resulting in the subdued color combinations which were his firm’s signature.

It is credited Museum purchase from Smithsonian Regents Collections Acquisition Fund.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 27 x 37.5 x 6 cm (10 5/8 x 14 3/4 x 2 3/8 in.)

It is inscribed

Embossed in gold lettering on cover: "Morris & Company/ 449 Oxford Street". Printed in ink on verso, the name and cost of each sample.

Cite this object as

Sidewall - Sample, Sunflower, 1887; Designed by Morris & Co. (United Kingdom); Manufactured by Jeffrey & Company (United Kingdom); block-printed paper; H x W x D: 27 x 37.5 x 6 cm (10 5/8 x 14 3/4 x 2 3/8 in.); Museum purchase from Smithsonian Regents Collections Acquisition Fund; 1980-46-1-75

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

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

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/102200233/ |title=Sidewall - Sample, Sunflower, 1887 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>