‘Papara’ is a printed red velveteen of pomegranates, carnations and palmettes produced by Wardle & Co. A two-colour (dark blue outline with a indigo filling) block print proof on paper is in the Whitworth’s Thomas Wardle and Co ‘Sample Book, Block Records – Page 6’ (1909-1930), T.14008.6. A note alongside the proof in the sample book details that it was based upon plate 118 from Fischbach’s ‘Ornamente der Gewebe’ which shows an illustration in black and white, described as a 17th woven silk, probably from Lyons or Tours “in the museum in Nuremberg”. The full transcript of Wardle’s sample book reads:
109
No.109.Two Blocks. To fit Velvet. 26″ width
Size 13 inches square
Original design No.118 Fishbach. (sic) Registered 12146, 30 August 1884
Size of repeat 13 inc x 13 inc
No.13’s.
According to the Whitworth, the code 13,s indicates the pattern was produced on commision to an external company.
