Wallpaper printing block
Date1898-1907
Original recipient
Colonel Harrison Howell Dodge
(American, 1852 - 1937)
Medium/TechniqueUnidentified softwood, maple, copper alloy, white metal
DimensionsOther: 19 7/8 in. x 18 3/4 in. x 2 1/4 in. (50.48 cm x 47.63 cm x 5.72 cm)
Credit LineGift of Roberta Fede, 2014
Object numberM-5359
DescriptionA wallpaper block of three layers with wood grains laminated perpendicularly. The top layer is carved with a complex, symmetrical arabesque design, consisting of a central, attenuated urn and two smaller, bisected urns with vines and leafage emanating from their interiors. A vine scrolls beneath the central urn and curls to either side framing the body of the urn. Many of the small, circular decorative elements are round metal sprigs. The carved layer is secured to the block with nails surrounding the voids in the carving. A copper alloy registration pin is positioned in each corner. The back has a canvas strap intended to hold the hand secured to the block with nails. There are two additional leather straps secured with a single nail.
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1755-1785
1750-1780
1755-1785
1750-1780
1800-1820
c. 1797
1755-1785
1780-1800
1785-1800
c. 1775-1781
1770-1790
1760-1780