£4,375
Decorative Arts: Design since 1860 | 577
Auction: 23 October 2019 at 11:00 BST
watercolour, pencil and bodycolour on paper, bearing the legend THE WILDERNESS SHALL BLOSSOM AS THE ROSE, indistinctly inscribed to the margin in ink, A L'ECHAULILLON EST? (F)INGLE C'DESSONS, within later oak frame
Provenance: Paul Reeves, London
Note: This watercolour is the original design for ‘Lion & Dove' for Jeffrey & Co. and was intended for use with 'Rose Bush' wallpaper (see V&A museum no E.2229-1913). The design was exhibited at the International Exhibition, Paris in 1900. The design was thought to be Crane’s critical response to the Second Boer War (1899-1902), which he opposed. In this design of circa 1900 Crane features the British Imperial Lion being gently pacified by the white Dove of Peace. A section of the wallpaper frieze is held at the V&A Museum, London E.1759-1914.