‘Ashley Wallpapers’ manufactured by Smith & Walton (Australian) at the Haltwhistle Hadrian Paint Works in Northumberland around 1930s / 1940s. Specially printed in Hadrian ‘Velvasheen Eggshell’. Matt black background with grey, gold, yellow, blue etc.

Very rare mid century hand -painted French ‘Follot Paris’.

This is the original 1960s (around 1968) ‘Chinese Dragon’ wallpaper in ivory and brown by Osborne & Little created by the iconic Antony Little and inspired by The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. It is named ” No 22 Design” on the untrimmed edges. Antony Little and his brother-in-law Peter Osborne started the ‘Osborne & Little ‘ brand and opened a small showroom in Chelsea in 1968. They were at the cutting edge of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ design movement and had instant success with their hand-printed wallpapers. Antony Little designed the black and gold logo for ‘Biba’ and was inspired by Art-Nouveau, Aubrey Beardsley, the exotic dragons in The Royal Pavilion in Brighton etc. Huge thanks to Josephine who has held on to this incredible wallpaper for many years and for providing these details and for sharing my passion for such rare designs.

‘Dragons and Fire’ rare vintage commission.

Albert Van Luit & Co. Nautical.

1930s / 1940s matt black with snails and hummingbirds. Purchased in New York where it had been used for fashion shoot.

Unbranded bespoke hand-printed.

Hand-painted ‘Breton’ Shand Kydd. Early and rare!

William Morris green Blackthorn. Pristine condition but back of paper reflects considerable age. Sanderson machine printed from 1975, creating a hand blocked appearance; this has a very tangible hand blocked feel and appearance .. so it could be earlier and really hand blocked!

Rare historic ‘Audley End’ by Coles (before they became ‘Cole & Son’. Used in English Heritage ‘Audley End’ in restoration of gentleman’s dressing room. Amazing find!

Albert Van Luit & Co

Vintage 1950s / 1960s. Matt black background. Probably machine printed for hand blocked print effect.

Hand-painted ‘Breton’ Shand Kydd. Early and rare.

1960s with hand painted impasto texture.

Vintage 1950s / 1960s. Textured.

Sanderson. Photogravure-printed paper. Perivale. UK. 1960. (V & A: E.446-1988)

Agnes Wimborne

No 22 ‘Chinese Dragon’ 1960s Antony Little design.

Hand-printed Osborne & Little

Looks like emroidery. Unbranded.

1940s/50s hand printed French Vintage Wallpaper by Brepols with feathery reeds, grasses and bulrushes in sky blue, black, yellow and white on a coral background, the colours and design very reminiscent of its era.