Peacock Feather Medallion Ornament - Framed Antique Wallpaper Art

“Ornaments” or decorative medallions isolated on an otherwise plain paper, were one of Birge’s trademark offerings in the first decade or so of the new century. Often printed by hand at intervals as long as nine or ten feet apart on “leather hide” papers, they were used as decorative elements either towards the upper part of a wall or in the spaces created below a plate rail in a high wainscot around the room, with battens or narrow boards separating each vertical panel. They were also used in folding screens.

The Peacock Feather ornament first appeared in the 1909 Birge Book and became one of the company’s more recognized designs (even getting feature treatment on the cover of the 1913 Birge Book). The design includes a pair of highly conventionalized peacock feathers, flanking a medallion cartouche and surrounded by swags and festoons, all rendered with the sharp and distinctive leather tooling details that distinguished Birge’s best work. Hand block printed, embossed, and stained.

Additional repeats available, framed or unmounted.
Birge Pattern No. 8654.

This frame is made from rift-sawn American White Oak with a sepia finish.

See the Original Wallpaper Remnant that this Ready-to-Hang Artwork is based on.