icon for Home page
icon for Kid's Home page
icon for Digital Collection
icon for Activities
icon for Turns Exhibit
icon for In the Classroom
icon for Chronologies
icon for My Collection

Online Collection

DECORATIVE PAINTING.

The undersigned, ARCHITECTURAL, FRESCO, & DECORATIVE PAINTER, respectfully solicits orders for embellishing the Plastering of CHURCHES, PRIVATE RESIDENCES, HALLS, STORES, OFFICES &C. Through a friend I am receiving from Paris and Germany the best and latest published Designs, and at as early a date as the Fresco Artists in out cities, thereby enabling me to compete with them in the same style of work and at nearly fifty per cent. less charge than their prices. Reference to numerous and Gentlemen of acknowledged good judgment in the beautiful and now firmly established branch of the Arts, FRESCO PAINTING, can be given. I would refer you also to the new Grecian Order, and to a parlor in my residence in imitation of FRENCH DESIGNS OF CARVED OAK ORNAMENTS, in colors, in oil.

J. SAWIN,
DESIGNER AND DECORATOR IN FRESCO PAINTING.

NOTICE.

By arrangement with an importer, I can furnish, hang and varnish any quantity of Parlor Fresco Paper, from $1 to $10 per roll.

Also,-- J. S. invites orders from his friends in Greenfield and in Franklin County, in any or all kinds of

Sign, Carriage, House, Military Standard, Banner, Regalia and Landscape Painting.

Also, Wire Window-Screen Shades, Cambric Transparent Window Shades, in oil,--price $3 to $10 per pair. Imitation of Woods, Marbles, Stained Glass: Window Blinds painted and Sash glazed.

Engravings or Oil Paintings

Can be bought very low; framed or unframed.

Shop in rear of Cottage, west end of Pleasant Street.
GREENFIELD, MASS.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.



label levels:

John Sawin was a resident of Greenfield, Massachusetts, when he sent around this handbill advertising his work. He would probably be known today as an interior decorator, as his handbill advertises a wide variety of wall decorations. The explosion of technology and techniques in the 19th century led to the creation of a number of home decorating products. One of them advertised here is "fresco paper." This wallpaper was skillfully designed to imitate architectural features. For example, one line of paper imitated wood grain and moldings. Paper like this was most often made with hand stamps in the 1840s, although papers made with patterns on continuous-roll machines increasingly improved in quality through the 1850s and 1860s. By around 1860, hand-stamped paper had disappeared, although it was revived briefly in the late 1890s by Arts and Crafts devotees like William Morris. His emphasis on imported papers corresponds to the tastes of the 1850s, which was drawn particularly to French designs and borders, as is his emphasis on Greek Revival styles.

 

top of page

"Decorative Painting"

artist   John Sawin
date   c. 1855
location   Greenfield, Massachusetts
height   7.75"
width   5.0"
process/materials   printed paper, ink
item type   Public Announcements/Handbill
accession #   #L03.010


Look Closer icon My Collection icon Document Image icon Detailed info icon


ecard icon Send an e-Postcard of this object



See Also...

Sign-"A. Boyden's Hotel"

Burke Tavern Overmantel Panel

Baby Carriage


button for Side by Side Viewingbutton for Glossarybutton for Printing Helpbutton for How to Read Old Documents

 

Home | Online Collection | Things To Do | Turns Exhibit | Classroom | Chronologies | My Collection
About This Site | Site Index | Site Search | Feedback