When the original Hollyhock—likely designed by the French artist Jean Ulrich Tournier—was unveiled in 1852 at the Museum of Ornamental Art in London’s Marlborough House, critics panned it - but the Victorian public wholeheartedly disagreed, applying florals like this one to every inch of their interiors, slipcovering their dark Victorian seating. There are now 18 colorways and, since 1987, a screen-printed version called Althea, which renders the same pattern at a slightly reduced scale on linen or cotton. We were incredibly fortunate to find this remnant of Althea in linen with a collector, in our favorite rose colorway, On the reverse is a solid 100% linen ivory back, bound with a twisted rope trim in soft sage green. This is the very best English floral! Almost a collector's item!
If you are looking for more than one, please email us.
