14 0 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y
A Y E A R TO C E L E BR AT E
A Glossary
of Designs
Design repeat:
Watts of Westminster
Hand Blocked Wallpaper
Watts was founded in 1874 by three forward-thinking architects,
G.F.Bodley, Thomas Garner and George Gilbert Scott. Their intention
was to form a firm as the supplier of interior furnishings that was
artistically comparable to the boldness of their architecture.
Nearly 140 years on, Watts has an unparalleled archive of historical
papers. The original earlier designs by the founders, the Oakleaf,
Sunflower and Bird, Bamboo Jasmine, reminiscent of the stylized
naturalism of the Morris papers, and are in stark contrast to the grander
later patterns introduced by the many renowned architects who worked
with the company during those early formative years. In the 1970s this core
collection was expanded to include the bold geometric designs by A. W.
N. Pugin, which had formed part of the portfolio designed for the Palace
of Westminster in the 1840s.
In celebration of the 140th Anniversary of Watts, we are reintroducing
many of these original wallpaper designs as a block printed collection.
The wooden blocks made by the company over one hundred years ago
have been retrieved from storage and are being used as the definitive art
source to create new blocks for present day printing.
A Glossary of Design illustrates the breadth and richness of a singular
collection of papers. Presented simply in black and white, this library of
authentic nineteenth century wallpaper pattern is there for you to choose
your design to be coloured as you wish and to be hand block printed.
‘Watts has quite the most beautiful papers’
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984)
L ondon Show ro om
D esig n Centre Chel sea H a rb ou r
+4 4 (0) 207 376 4 4 8 6 w w w.w atts1874.c o.u k
Albany
c.1860 Anon. An ogee frame, typical of the period, with
delicate floral and scroll detail.
Design repeat: 28cm
Aztec
c.1850 A.W.N Pugin. Originally designed as a ceiling paper for the
Library at Great Tew, Oxford.
Design repeat: 41cm
Baroque
c.1860 Anon. Inspired by scrolling foliage and garlands, typical of the late
seventeenth century Baroque style.
Design repeat: 97cm
Bellini
c.1848 This design originates from a hanging depicted in the painting by
Roger Van der Weyden and was adapted by Pugin.
Design repeat: 18cm
Bentinck
c.1886 G.F. Bodley. Designed for the restoration of
St Donat’s Castle, Glamorgan.
Design repeat: 56cm
Bird
c.1871 An elegant design created by G.G. Scott combining influences of
Chinoiserie and naturalism.
Design repeat: 59cm
Bodley
c.1868 An early design by G.F. Bodley. Commissioned by Cecil Beaton in
1953 in hot pink with a dark green print.
Design repeat: 24cm
Brandiles
c.1860 A Northern European gothic inspired trellis pattern.
Design repeat: 29cm
Brick Vermont
c.1850 Originally created from a fragment from the Deanery at
Westminster Abbey
Design repeat: 36cm
Bruges
c.1790 Originally an exquisite pearl pink silk damask with embroidered
detail from an altar frontal at Castle Howard.
Design repeat: 84cm
Clarence
c.1860 Anon. A sweet stylised small bird design, originally designed for
use in the bedroom.
Design repeat: 26cm
Damask
c.1878 An early design frequently used by the founders of Watts as
both a wallpaper and fabric.
Design repeat: 42cm
Depden
c.1870 A small neat pattern, popular in the late Victorian period as a
wallpaper below the dado rail.
Design repeat: 9cm
Gaheris
c.1850 A North European design, original document printed
in powder blue and tan.
Design repeat: 19cm
Genoese
c.1878 G.G. Scott. A sophisticated foliage design, inspired by
seventeenth century cut velvet.
Design repeat: 91cm
Gothic
c.1878 T. Garner. A hallmark design used as a silk damask in many
ecclesiastical commissions including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
Design repeat: 55cm
Helene
c.1860 Anon. An elaborate scrolled floral design popular in
the early mid-Victorian period.
Design repeat: 54cm
Hengrave
c.1885 Designed for Hengrave Hall in Suffolk where
Bodley worked extensively.
Design repeat: 66cm
Holbein
c.1880 Originating from a 17th century tapestry pattern, this design was
used by Bodley in the refurbishment of Ham House in the 1890s.
Design repeat: 29cm
Julius
c.1886 A flat geometric design, emulating Pugin’s designs.
Design repeat: 36cm
Kensington
c.1890 The near perfect symmetry, suggests it was originally designed
for a wide frieze or dado pattern.
Design repeat: 40cm
Kinnersley
c.1880 G.F. Bodley. Designed and used in the formal rooms at
Kinnersley Castle, the family seat of Bodley’s wife.
Design repeat: 89cm
Lorimer
c.1880 An English pattern representative of the Aesthetic Movement and
Early Arts and Crafts Movement.
Design repeat: 53cm
Magnus
c.1870 Drawn from the master bedroom at Stokesay Court,
Shropshire, in the style of Pugin.
Design repeat: 70cm
Malmesbury
c.1885 G.F. Bodley. Magnificent large scale damask design printed as a
three chain block
Design repeat: 164cm
Malvern
c.1880 G.F. Bodley. Based on a fifteenth century Flemish textile.
Design repeat: 116cm
Melias
c.1865 Anon. A fine example of the ‘true principles of wallpaper design’
as championed in the late nineteenth century.
Design repeat: 38cm
Napoleon
c.1870 Anon. Late nineteenth century French
Design repeat: 60cm
Nimue
c.1860 Anon. A delicate floral design from the mid nineteenth century.
Design repeat: 46cm
Oakleaf
c.1868 G.F. Bodley. A design echoing the geometrical principles
of Pugin and stylised naturalism.
Design repeat: 38cm
Old English
c.1882 A large scale eighteenth century damask design redrawn
by Bodley in 1881.
Design repeat: 159cm
Oscar
c.1860 Anon. Florid mid Victorian design: the antithesis to the restraint
and flat pattern of the Pugin idiom.
Design repeat: 49cm
Pava Bird
c.1870 Anon. A delightful design incorporating principles of French
inspired naturalism.
Design repeat: 63cm
Pear
c.1880 G.F. Bodley. Based on an eighteenth century hand cut velvet,
commissioned for the refurbishment of Powys Castle.
Design repeat: 99cm
Pineapple
c.1845 A.W.N.Pugin. Submitted for the redecoration of the royal
apartments at the Palace of Westminster in 1850.
Design repeat: 64cm
Porden
c.1870 Anon. An unusual design, balancing elaborate Gothic arches
against a flat patterning of stylised oak leaves
Design repeat: 48cm
Ravenna
c.1880 H.H. Mott, who worked with Bodley to execute the company’s
highly detailed work after the departure of Garner.
Design repeat: 69cm
Rose
c.1880 Part of a collection of wallpapers redrawn by Bodley from early
18th century English flocked designs.
Design repeat: 76cm
Rose & Coronet
c.1848 A.W.N.Pugin. Formed part of the portfolio submitted for the
redecoration of the royal apartments, Palace of Westminster.
Design repeat: 45cm
Rose & Fleur de Lys
c.1848 A.W.N.Pugin. Part of Pugin’s porfolio for the redecoration of the
Royal Apartments, Palace of Westminster.
Design repeat: 44cm
Shrewsbury
c.1845 A.W.N.Pugin. Commissioned by the Earl of Shrewsbury, a
prominent patron of Pugin, for Ingestre Hall.
Design repeat: 47cm
Shrewsbury Welby
c.1845 A.W.N.Pugin. Redesigned as a six colour block print in 1993.
Design repeat: 47cm
Sunflower
c.1870 G.F.Bodley. A naturalistic design forming part
of Bodley’s early work.
Design repeat: 53cm
Trellis
c.1848 A.W.N. Pugin. Featured in the Royal Apartments,
Palace of Westminster.
Design repeat: 18cm
Triad
c.1848 A.W.N.Pugin. Palace of Westminster.
Design repeat: 80cm
Venetian
c.1870 Epitomises Bodley’s later designs, embracing influences of the
Queen Anne revival movement.
Design repeat: 119cm
Restoration and
Reconstruction
In the interests of conservation Watts of Westminster will
undertake to originate any design from fragments or a
photograph. To discuss this further please contact our Studio
in the London showroom.
These wallpapers are printed in England.
The designs in this collection are protected by copyright
Watts & Co. Furnishings
Westminster
w w w.watts1874.co.uk