THE INDIENNE COLLECTION
Hidden deep within the archives of Castle Howard is a remarkable group of textiles and wallpapers. These were part of an ambitious project by Rosalind, 9th Countess to redecorate the house in the last decades of the 19th century. Numerous bolts of fabric and rolls of wallpapers were carefully stored, protected from the ravages of light damage, and so offer a unique glimpse into the vibrant colours and bold designs fashionable at that time. Watts 1874 was given the privilege of developing and cherishing this special collection with the custodians of Castle Howard for the 21st century redecoration of the stately home.
Wall upholstery Cassius Amber Gold Silk Brocatelle East Wing The Lake Sitting Room
Fauteuil upholstery Versailles Emerald Cut Velvet
East Wing The Lake Sitting Room
Upholstery Aurea Indienne Rose Madder Linen
Originally documented as an Indienne Tree of Life fabric border with large stylised flowers on a meandering branch offset by the typical vermicilli backprint, probably purchased by Rosalind 9th Countess. Redrawn by Watts 1874 to create a continuous, decorative wide floral indienne stripe.
East Wing Little Sitting Room
Drapery Howard Indienne Victoria Linen
This exuberant Tree of Life linen was chosen by interior designer Remy Renzullo for both window and bed drapery in the Admiral’s Bedroom. The centre piece is a soaring 18th century ‘lit à la polonaise’. The drapery is topped with an elaborate crown-like dome, which is connected to the four corner poles of the bed frame which are usually curved.
Passementerie
Admiral Tieback, Admiral Triple Twist Bullion, leading edge to drapery San Remo Tassel Fringe
Admiral’s Bedroom
Wallpaper Goose Blue (right), Goose Mustard, Goose Aperol Non Woven Paper
This is an iconic design heavily influenced by the Japanese Chinese export idea prevalent in the nineteenth century. The original Japanese tissue paper is made up of individual panels c.70cm x 59cm, with a pattern of black geese flying amongst white lilies and pink, yellow and purple flowers with trailing foliage on a blue ground. The paper is listed in situ in the Goose Room and Archbishop’s Bedroom in the 1905 Furnishing Book (H2/6/6, p. 36), “27 pieces blue stork paper’ purchased from Maple & Co. in 1884 (J23/105/16, p. 125) for a total cost of £14-3-6.
East Wing Hall, with a c.17th cent. Neapolitan Table Cabinet
Wallpaper Temple Toile
Document a toile de jouy wallpaper, block printed in a vivid cerise pink. The Temple Toile is characteristic of the oriental narrative motifs specific to chinoiseries printed in monochrome. Each scene is delineated by a rocky base, a device that gives the design as a whole the appearance of floating on air. Romantic and whimsical the Temple Toile has been created in six different colours, reminiscent of the palette of the 17th century printed and painted cottons from India which first appeared in France during that period.
East Wing Dining Room
Linen Cecilia Dormouse Pink
Cecilia a floral linen with vertical bouquets with bows, and intertwined ribbons, circa 1800. Purchased by Rosalind 9th Countess, but the linen is not listed as allocated to any particular room in the castle.
East Wing Corridor
Wallpaper Cecilia Rosa Alba Non Woven Paper
East Wing The Little Sitting Room
Wallpaper Aurea Indienne Coral linen
East Wing Corridor with Kempe decorated vaulted ceilings