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Object Timeline

1963

  • Work on this object began.

1973

  • Work on this object ended.

2004

  • We acquired this object.

2005

2012

2014

2024

  • You found it!

Sidewall (England)

This is a sidewall. It was designed by Christopher Dresser. It is dated ca. 1968 and we acquired it in 2004. Its medium is flexographic print on paper, varnish. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

This is a sanitary wallpaper designed by Christopher Dresser. The design was shown in the fine and decorative arts magazine, The Studio, in 1899.
Sanitary papers were first developed in the 1870s in response to cries from healthcare workers that wallpapers were unhealthy. Prior to sanitary papers, wallpapers were all printed with water-soluble pigments and could not be cleaned. While these papers were not “washable,” they could be wiped with a damp cloth. Sanitary papers were advocated for use with children, the elderly, kitchens, washrooms and work rooms. Sanitary papers remained in production at least into the 1920s.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Sailing Around the Bathroom.

This object was donated by Harry Lyons. It is credited Gift of Harry Lyons.

  • Bandbox And Lid, Gallipoli
  • block-printed on handmade paper, pasteboard support.
  • Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 1913-17-13-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W: 105 x 38.5 cm (41 5/16 x 15 3/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Sidewall (England); Designed by Christopher Dresser (Scottish, 1834 – 1904); flexographic print on paper, varnish; H x W: 105 x 38.5 cm (41 5/16 x 15 3/16 in.); Gift of Harry Lyons; 2004-11-1

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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/18699787/ |title=Sidewall (England) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=23 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>