1972.14.8 Front
Portiére
1883 – 1900 (Date manufactured/created)
textile
fabric, velvet
83.5 inches H
X
48.5 inches W
Swimming Carp Portiére by Candance Wheeler, made of cloth of gold painted with oil; over all colors of blue, green, and gold with a green velvet binding and border. The portiére features Wheeler's fish and bubble design.
This portiére is from Candace Wheeler’s summer home, Pennyroyal, in Onteora, New York. During her tenure as Tiffany’s partner in the Associated Artists, Wheeler designed the swimming-carp pattern. It was so popular that the firm produced it in a number of versions and mediums, including discharge-printed blue denim, purple dye on green denim, brown dye on bright orange silk, and in several different colors on plain cotton. The wide range of fabrics used underlines Wheeler’s intention to bring good design to people of all economic levels – the portiére here being its most luxurious incarnation. Gold metallic cloth was first printed with the design, then hand painted in oils, and finally finished around the edges with a silk plush border.
This portiére is from Candace Wheeler’s summer home, Pennyroyal, in Onteora, New York. During her tenure as Tiffany’s partner in the Associated Artists, Wheeler designed the swimming-carp pattern. It was so popular that the firm produced it in a number of versions and mediums, including discharge-printed blue denim, purple dye on green denim, brown dye on bright orange silk, and in several different colors on plain cotton. The wide range of fabrics used underlines Wheeler’s intention to bring good design to people of all economic levels – the portiére here being its most luxurious incarnation. Gold metallic cloth was first printed with the design, then hand painted in oils, and finally finished around the edges with a silk plush border.
The Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford, CT, Gift of Mrs. Francis B. Thurber III, 1972
1972.14.8