Object of the Day: A Papier Mache Desk Folder, 1851

Souvenir Desk Folder
Papier Mache, Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Paint, Silvering
Souvenir of the Great Exhibition of 1851
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Well, here we are. We’ve gotten a slow start today. This morning, Bertie went to see Dr. Mapes to get his cast off. Now, we’ve got to keep him still and from chewing on his stitches. He’s bored and wants to scoot around. It’s rather like having a baby, I suppose.

But, while he’s sleeping, let’s look at some stuff. Here’s some papier mache stuff fomr the V&A. As you all know, I love Victorian Papier Mache objects—the painted decoration, the mother-of-pearl inlay, the deep colors. This one is especially lovely. From the Victoria & Albert Museum, we have here a souvenir desk folder from the 1851 Great Exhibition which was largely organized by Prince Albert.

Decorative folders such as this was were designed to hold note or blotting paper. This was one of many elegant souvenir items for sale at the Great Exhibition. Not many of these commemorative items remain, so I’m thrilled to see this one. Reverse painted under glass, wee see a front view of the Crystal Palace reversewhich has been coated from behind with a silvered layer in order to simulate the sparkle of the home of the Great Exhibition.

Such articles of japanned papier-maché decorated with mother-of-pearl roses were quite fashionable during this era. The technique was developed in 1772 by Henry Clay of Birmingham who devised this method of manufacture which involved the pressing of sheets of heat-resisting paper into wooden moulds. The rough objects were removed, baked and smoothed. The result was a warp-free surface iwhich was perfect for varnishing, painting and inlay.