Design for a Damask Table-Cloth. Source: Vallance 104.
A corner of this playfully designed table-cloth displays its whimsical border: at the left, Titania is seated on one side and Oberon on the other, as the fairy king and queen of A Midsummer Night's Dream receive the homage of their fairy-folk. In the angle between the couple, elaborately framed, two further characters from the play appear: Bottom with his ass's head looks down towards Titania, and Puck seems to hug hikself gleefully. Further in, just above the border, and separated from it by scrolling honeysuckle, some older flower-fairies are dancing, no doubt to the music being played on the right side of the border. Repetition is avoided, with a scattering of butterflies, leaves, flower-heads and more small, fanciful figures.
The contrast between the elaborate design elements and the plain dark background is very effective. Manufactured by "Messrs. John Wilson's Successors" (104), the tabe-cloth shows Anning Bell at his most inventive, offering to contribute a festive background to any party spread. This shows something of the range of materials and moods of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Image scan, text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. Click on the image for a larger picture. [You may use the image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned it and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]
Bibliography
Vallance, Aymer. "British Decorative Art in 1899, and the Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Pt II." The Studio, Vol.18 (1899): 104-131. Google Books. Free to read. Web. 7 August 2026.
Created 7 August 2026